Stopping fentanyl before it gets to the U.S.

The United States is reducing the flow of fentanyl into the country, saving American lives and holding drug traffickers accountable.

Fentanyl overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans age 18–45. Much of the fentanyl bound for the United States starts as precursor chemicals produced in Asia, principally in China, and is later trafficked from Mexico over the Southwest border, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

“We will not rest until we have ended the drug overdose epidemic,” President Trump said.

CBP’s monthly fentanyl seizures at the border in early-mid 2025 have dropped by more than half compared to recent years.

The decline in seizures comes as Mexico and the United States have increased efforts to halt fentanyl trafficking and secure the border. Speaking to the successes of some of the operations, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CBP, says authorities are “stopping drug traffickers cold — before their poison ever reaches American streets.”

The United States is targeting each step of the fentanyl supply chain. By designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, pressuring Mexico to step up countercartel operations and deploying extensive law enforcement along the border, the administration is making it harder for criminals to traffic fentanyl.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has made thousands of fentanyl-related arrests since January. And in July, the president signed a law strengthening prison sentences for fentanyl smuggling.

These actions are showing real results. In the United States, overdose deaths involving fentanyl are down by over 30% since 2023.

Using every tool to stop the flow

The more than 50% drop in the CBP’s monthly fentanyl seizures comes after President Trump urged Mexico to crack down on drug trafficking, leading to that country’s reported seizure of more than 55,029 kilograms of drugs and more than 6,000 arrests since February. And to stop fentanyl that makes it to the Southwestern border, CBP has deployed advanced drug-detection technology that can scan 100 vehicles per hour at some entry points.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State works with other countries to disrupt smuggling of fentanyl precursors. U.S.-provided training and equipment will help authorities in Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka quickly test drug samples for fentanyl precursors, preventing deadly cross-border shipments from reaching American communities.

A U.S.-funded notification system enabled cooperation among authorities in India and Tanzania; one result was an interception of two shipments of precursor chemicals that could have yielded 3 tons of fentanyl. In March, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted employees of the pharmaceutical company producing the chemicals connected to these shipments.

The U.S. government also recently sanctioned members of the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel who are responsible for fentanyl production and violence in the United States and Mexico. Sanctions and related visa ineligibilities cut off traffickers’ access to the U.S. financial system and limit their ability to bring drugs to the United States. (The U.S. also designated the Sinaloa Cartel a foreign terrorist organization and is offering large rewards for two leaders through a Narcotics Rewards Program.)

In June 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa restriction policy that will prevent international drug traffickers’ family members and close business and personal associates from entering the United States.

“We will use all necessary tools to deter and dismantle the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs from entering our country,” Rubio said.