Governor Newsom more than doubles deployment of California National Guard to crack down on fentanyl smuggling

 

SAN YSIDRO – Cracking down on illicit drugs and those who smuggle them into California, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced he is more than doubling the California National Guard’s (Cal Guard) Counter Drug Taskforce operations statewide, including at ports of entry along the border, from 155 to now nearly 400 service members.

Embedded in cross-government initiatives to combat transnational criminal organizations and the trafficking of illegal narcotics - like fentanyl - these CalGuard members with the Counter Drug Taskforce have been hired, trained, and placed at key locations statewide.

“Our top priority is the safety of our communities statewide. By working with state, local, and federal partners to take down transnational organizations and the illegal drugs they attempt to bring into our state, the state’s Counter Drug Taskforce is making a profound difference to hold smugglers accountable and take deadly drugs off our streets.”

“Beginning in 2022, the CalGuard’s Counter Drug Taskforce deployed 30 servicemembers to the San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, and Calexico Ports of Entry to support our federal partners,” said CalGuard Major General Matthew Beevers. “Due to significant initial success, in 2023, we doubled our force across those Ports of Entry. Under Governor Newsom’s leadership and broad Congressional support, our Counter Drug Taskforce has grown from 155 full-time servicemembers to 392 today.”

Specifically, the Taskforce focuses on gathering information to interdict illegal narcotics trafficking, utilizing air and ground assets to build criminal investigations, and supporting personnel at border ports of entry to stop illegal narcotics trafficking. 

 

We are doubling the number of @CalGuard members deployed to crack down on fentanyl smuggling.

This work will help take down transnational organizations & the illegal drugs they attempt to bring into our state—holding smugglers accountable & taking deadly drugs off our streets. pic.twitter.com/A1ocqs0jvU

— California Governor (@CAgovernor) June 13, 2024