Harder Takes on Fentanyl Epidemic and Counterfeit Pills with New Legislation

In California, 5.8 million fentanyl-laced pills were seized in the first 5 months of 2024; 7 in 10 pills counterfeit pills seized by the DEA contain a deadly dose of fentanyl

The bipartisan Disrupt Fentanyl Pill Production Act would make it harder for criminals to make counterfeit pills

STOCKTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-9) introduced bipartisan legislation to stop one of the most dangerous parts of the fentanyl epidemic – counterfeit pill operations. Rep. Harder introduced the Disrupt Fentanyl Pill Production Act alongside Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw (TX-2). The bill would allow law enforcement agencies to crack down on fentanyl and trace pill presses back to criminal enterprises that make deadly fake pills. The bill would require serial numbers for all machines that are able to mass-produce pills.

Criminals have been targeting kids on social media, claiming to sell prescription drugs like Adderall, Xanax, and Percocet, but they’re fake – and most people can’t tell the difference. These pills are incredibly dangerous, and according to the DEA, most of them are laced with fentanyl or meth, and 7 in 10 pills seized by the DEA contain enough fentanyl to kill someone. In California, 5.8 million fentanyl-laced pills were seized in the first 5 months of 2024.

“The fentanyl epidemic is killing our community. We have to use every tool available to stop criminals from selling this stuff. One tool we have is taking down the counterfeit pill industry,” said Rep. Harder. “These drug dealers make lethal pills by using imported or illegally obtained pill presses – this bill cuts off that supply and makes it easier for law enforcement to catch these heartless criminals. Simply put: less supply means thousands of lives saved.”

"For the safety of our communities, it’s imperative that we give law enforcement the ability to trace these illicit pill presses moving across borders. This legislation will allow officers to better understand the criminal supply chain,” said Congressman Dan Crenshaw. “Serializing pill presses will also give them better tools to effectively catch and prosecute cartels who use this equipment to disguise deadly drugs and exploit our children for profit.”

This continues Rep. Harder’s work to protect San Joaquin County families from fentanyl and other deadly illicit drugs.

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