In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, state troopers have nabbed over 40 pounds of fentanyl in the heart of San Francisco, a stash potent enough to kill over 9 million people. This haul is the result of a collaborative push since May to clean up the streets of San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, spearheaded by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Beginning their operation on May 1, the CHP joined forces with the city, and the cleanup has yielded more than just fentanyl. They issued over 4,468 citations and made 428 arrests for illegal activities. Working alongside local and federal partners, a dozen crime-linked firearms have also been recovered, Governor Gavin Newsom stated. "We’re cleaning up San Francisco’s streets," said Newsom, highlighting the dedication to tackling illegal drug activities in a statement from the governor's office. "Providing the safety and security every Californian deserves."
The operation has seen increased support, with the Governor announcing the doubling of CHP officer deployment last June and impending initiatives. In 2024, a new joint law enforcement task force will come into play, investigating opioid-linked deaths and poisonings throughout San Francisco.
The CHP’s collaboration includes partnerships with the California National Guard, the California Department of Justice, the San Francisco Police Department, and the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. These agencies focus on improving public safety through targeting fentanyl trafficking, disrupting supply, and bringing drug traffickers to justice, Newsom explained.
This battle forms part of the Governor's Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis. This ambitious project has already seen a 594% uptick in fentanyl seizures last year and is underpinned by a historic allocation of funds – 1 billion dollars earmarked statewide to combat the crisis.
Media representatives can access and download B-roll footage of the CHP’s operation in San Francisco for more insights into the measures being taken on the ground.
