RICHMOND, VA — Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that the Operation FREE (Fentanyl Awareness, Reduction, Enforcement and Eradication) partnership seized over 550 pounds of illicit fentanyl in the last 45 days in Virginia. Under the direction of Governor Youngkin and his Executive Order 26, the successful Operation FREE fentanyl fighting strategy has broken the cycle of drug trafficking and gang activity in the Commonwealth.
Operation FREE is a partnership focused on fentanyl recognition, reduction of fentanyl supply/demand, the eradication of fentanyl and the enforcement of Virginia laws related to fentanyl manufacturing, possession and distribution. Through community outreach, education and partnerships with over 175 local, state and federal agencies from 13 different states we’ve seen incredible success in combatting the flow of fentanyl and drugs. Since its launch 45 days ago, the collective efforts of Operation FREE here in Virginia has led to a total of over 19,000 pounds of narcotics seized as well as 1,081 arrests and 267 firearms taken off the street.
“Our administration has developed a first-of-its-kind multi-faceted and multi-state operation to decrease the number of fentanyl poisonings through law enforcement collaboration at every level and planned seizures. I am immensely proud of the results, 550 pounds of fentanyl off our streets will undoubtedly save the lives of Virginians. I want to thank our Public Safety team and their many partners for their tireless efforts. Due to the unique collaboration framework of Operation FREE and immense law enforcement dedication, Virginia is leading the nation through this whole of government approach to fight the fentanyl epidemic in our communities and breaking the cycle of drug trafficking in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.“We still have work to do, but we will continue to build on these efforts to make Virginians safer.”
In May 2023, Governor Youngkin signed Executive Order 26 to help combat the fentanyl epidemic in Virginia. The order, amongst other things, directed the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security to develop a strategic plan for law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth to combat illicit trafficking and the sale of fentanyl in Virginia. In response, the Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security, being led by the Virginia State Police conducted a statewide fentanyl operation focusing on increased enforcement, whole of community training, education, and partnerships to reduce supply and demand across the Commonwealth.
“The hard work of law enforcement, community partners and stakeholders across these 13 states, builds on our continued efforts to develop partnerships that make Virginians safer and healthier,”said First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin. “We worked very hard during the operation to enhance education focused on the dangers of fentanyl — stressing that ‘It Only Takes One’ pill to take a life and one important conversation to save a life.”
Led by the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terrance Cole and the Virginia State Police, Operation FREE focused on building partnerships, enhancing intelligence sharing, improving operational strategies, and increasing community outreach to thwart the impact that fentanyl is having within the borders of the United States.
“Through the leadership of Governor Youngkin and the success of Operation FREE Virginia, our Commonwealth has become safer,”said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terry Cole. “The Governor’s operation brought together multiple states with 175 agencies working together to protect our communities and families. It’s a reminder that when we work together, we can make our communities and homeland more secure. I’m happy to see that Virginia and these United States are one step closer in our fight to eliminate the deadly impacts of fentanyl.”
“I would like to specifically thank our federal partners: CBP Commissioner Troy Miller, DEA Assistant Special Agents in Charge Christopher Goumenis and Patrick Hartig, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stanley Meador for the outstanding partnership and collaboration,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terry Cole.
The preliminary data collected from the nationwide operation detailed significant and positive results by reducing fentanyl’s devastating impact in our communities. Operation FREE seized nearly 5,000 pounds of suspected, illicit, fentanyl. This fentanyl had the potential to generate an estimated $4.3 billion dollars in revenue to transnational criminal organizations, and street level criminal gangs.
To Learn More Visit:
It Only Takes One. Virginians can visit www.itonlytakesone.com to learn about this pilot initiative, a program of the Virginia Department of Health, to drive awareness and begin conversations around the risks of fentanyl among Virginia’s youth.
One Pill Can Kill. The Drug Enforcement Administration has a nationwide program and toolkits to educate Americans about the lethality of pills containing fentanyl and resources can be found at https://www.dea.gov/onepill.
