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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Joint Operation Targets Opioid Trafficking on the Darknet

The Department of Justice, FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) announced the results of a four-day long, nationwide law enforcement op called Operation Disarray, which targeted vendors and buyers of opioids and cocaine on the Darknet. This operation was the first coordinated action by the new Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement (J-CODE) Team.

These results were announced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Chief Postal Inspector Guy Cottrell.

“Synthetic opioids are responsible for nearly one-third of the unacceptable 64,000 drug overdoses in America in 2016,” said Attorney General Sessions. “Some of the deadliest drugs can be purchased with a few clicks of a button and ordered online. That’s why I ordered the creation of J-CODE—the Joint Criminal Opioid Darknet Enforcement team—back in January.  J-CODE coordinates our efforts to stop online opioid sales, and it is already getting results.  Today, we announce the first nationwide J-CODE operation, one that led to the arrest of alleged traffickers across America. I want to thank all of our law enforcement partners at the FBI, DEA, ATF, our Postal Inspectors, IRS-CI, NCIS, FinCEN and ICE-HSI who helped make this possible, and I want to thank President Trump for his strong support of our efforts. J-CODE is helping us keep deadly drugs out of this great country.”

“Our work to combat drug trafficking has taken us from coast to coast and to the darkest corners of the web. The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis, and those of us in law enforcement must be relentless in our efforts to disrupt this illicit activity,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We thank our partners in this operation; through J-CODE, we will continue to work together to target the sale of opioids on the Darknet.”

“The Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to protecting the American public,” said Chief Postal Inspector Guy Cottrell.  “One of the ways we fulfill this mission is by working tirelessly with other law enforcement agencies in operations just like this one to keep dangerous drugs out of the communities we serve.”

During the March 27 to 30 operation, FBI, USPIS, and local law enforcement made eight arrests related to Operation Disarray. Agents conducted more than 160 interviews nationwide of people who have bought or sold opioids and other drugs online. Leads from the investigation identified 19 overdose deaths of persons of interest. FBI, USPIS and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) also executed numerous search warrants, which resulted in the seizure of weapons, drugs, counterfeit currency, and computer equipment. During the operation, law enforcement agents distributed literature regarding the dangers of opioid abuse, as well as, offered support for those affected by the opioid epidemic. The investigation is ongoing.

Read more at the Justice Department

Joint Operation Targets Opioid Trafficking on the Darknet Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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