For Immediate Release: January 18, 2024
Contact: Anna Mathews [email protected]
Minneapolis, MN – Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann expressed deep concern regarding the alarming increase in fentanyl pill seizures reported in Minnesota, as reported in a recent Star Tribune article. Minnesota law enforcement agencies witnessed a staggering 127% increase in fentanyl pill seizures in 2023, surpassing other states in the Midwest.
“This unprecedented surge in fentanyl seizures is a clear indicator of the escalating drug crisis in our state and the nation,” said Chairman Hann. “This crisis is exacerbated by the open-border policies of the Biden Administration, which have failed to adequately secure our borders and prevent the influx of illegal drugs into our communities. Unfortunately, our Democrat representatives – including Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Angie Craig – have done nothing to hold the Biden Administration accountable or curb this deadly epidemic plaguing their state.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported that more than 417,000 fentanyl pills were seized in Minnesota last year, a record number that surpasses the combined total of seizures in Iowa, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska. The potency of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has also dramatically increased, with DEA lab testing revealing that 70% of pills tested contained potentially lethal doses.
“The Biden Administration’s lack of decisive action on border security has direct consequences for states like Minnesota,” said Hann. “The influx of fentanyl and other drugs across our borders is not just a border state issue; it affects all Americans, as we are seeing right here in our communities.”
Chairman Hann also called for immediate and robust measures to strengthen border security and curb the illegal drug trade: “Our state and nation cannot afford to be complacent in the face of this growing threat. It is time for the Biden Administration, Senator Klobuchar, and Congresswoman Craig to take serious and effective action to protect Minnesotans,” concluded Hann.
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