Senator R Cassidy: posts on X about Trump Halt Fentanyl Act

Senator R Cassidy: posts on X about Trump Halt Fentanyl Act

WASHINGTON — Days after President Donald Trump's comments on Mexico's efforts to curb drug trafficking, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced multiple large-scale seizures of illegal drugs alleged to have crossed the southern border. The seizures, part of Operation Take Back America, targeted cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. State Department.

The DEA seized hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and carfentanyl disguised as prescription pills over the Fourth of July weekend. Highlights include:
- 156 pounds of fentanyl, meth, weapons, and cash near the University of South Carolina, involving an illegal immigrant previously deported twice.
- 706 pounds of fentanyl hidden in a shipment of cucumbers in Gainesville, Georgia, leading to the arrest of another undocumented immigrant with a prior federal conviction for cocaine trafficking.
- 889 pounds of meth in Minneapolis, resulting in the arrest of a person previously deported.
- 1,700 pounds of meth worth $15 million hidden in a vehicle crossing into the U.S. from Galveston, Texas.

These seizures underscore the national security threat posed by drug cartels and the reach of their operations across the country. The DEA's actions are part of a broader strategy to combat drug trafficking, with the Trump administration pursuing mass deportations of undocumented immigrants deemed criminals.

The recent seizures come as the Trump administration continues to push for increased funding to combat drug trafficking. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes $3.3 billion in funding to support these efforts. Additionally, the HALT Fentanyl Act permanently classifies fentanyl-related ingredients as controlled substances and imposes a minimum mandatory penalty of up to 10 years for trafficking such substances.

The individuals arrested for the recent seizures will face penalties of at least 10 years in prison, with some offenders facing 20- or 40-year sentences depending on the amount and type of drugs involved. Bondi emphasized that the administration will continue to fight to make America safe, extending this fight from Tampa to the Twin Cities and from Nassau County to the Golden Coast.

Meanwhile, President Trump's letter to Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum acknowledged Mexico's efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl and undocumented immigrants but announced plans to levy a 30% tariff on Mexican goods effective Aug. 1. Trump also plans to impose a 35% tariff on Canadian goods for similar reasons, citing the flow of fentanyl from Canada and alleged unfair trade practices.

References:
[1] https://spectrumlocalnews.com/us/snplus/crime/2025/07/15/pam-bondi-doj-dea-illegal-drug-seizures-undocumented-immigrants
[2] https://www.investing.com/news/economy/trump-says-canada-to-face-35-trade-tariffs-from-august-1-4131084