South Raleigh News

Attorney General Josh Stein commended the U.S. Congress for allocating funds to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enhance the detection of fentanyl in vehicles entering the United States. In a statement, Stein expressed gratitude towards Congressional leaders and President Biden for their bipartisan efforts in prioritizing safety measures to combat the influx of fentanyl into communities.

"Nine North Carolinians a day die from a fentanyl overdose. Nine. I am grateful to Congressional leaders for putting partisan politics aside to invest in these safety measures to stem the deadly flow of fentanyl at our border and help keep these drugs out of our communities. And I’m grateful to President Biden for signing this bill into law. This critical funding will be lifesaving," Attorney General Stein emphasized.

The funding, totaling over $400 million, will enable CBP to utilize non-intrusive inspection technology for the detection and seizure of fentanyl and other narcotics. This investment includes the installation of equipment already in possession by CBP to enhance the screening process for vehicles entering the United States, particularly at the border.

Attorney General Stein had previously advocated for this funding by sending a letter to Congressional leaders requesting approximately $300 million for the installation of fentanyl detection equipment. With the inclusion of this funding in the appropriations bill signed into law by President Biden, CBP will now be equipped with advanced technology to combat the fentanyl epidemic.

This initiative is part of Attorney General Stein's ongoing efforts to address the fentanyl crisis, aiming to mitigate the devastating impact of fentanyl overdoses on communities across North Carolina and the nation.