Rep. Tony Gonzales is going after online drug dealers, teaming up across the aisle on a new bill that targets fentanyl and other illegal drugs sold on the dark web. The Dark Web Interdiction Act, co-led by New Hampshire Democrat Chris Pappas, would ratchet up penalties and lock in a multiagency task force dedicated to hunting darknet traffickers, according to the Rep. Tony Gonzales' office.
Gonzales Frames Bill As A Law-Enforcement Tool
In a press release from the Rep. Tony Gonzales' office, Gonzales said the proposal "would give law enforcement officers the resources they need" to pursue dealers who use anonymizing platforms to ship contraband. He cast the measure as a bipartisan effort to bolster local, state and federal investigators as they work to identify, arrest and convict darknet traffickers.
What The Bill Would Change
According to Congress.gov, the bill directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to enhance sentences for individuals convicted of trafficking illegal drugs via the dark web. It would also strengthen and make permanent the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (J‑CODE) task force. The measure was formally introduced by Rep. Chris Pappas, with Rep. Gonzales listed as an original cosponsor, and has been referred to several House committees for further review.
J‑CODE In Action
The Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement team was launched by the Department of Justice and the FBI to coordinate investigations into darknet marketplaces, according to officials when J‑CODE was created. Federal authorities credit J‑CODE operations with hundreds of arrests, major drug and cash seizures, and takedowns of online markets. One coordinated operation, for example, resulted in dozens of arrests, roughly 300 kilograms of seized drugs, and millions of dollars in cash and cryptocurrency taken from darknet vendors, as detailed in DOJ releases.
Senate Allies And The Path Forward
On the other side of the Capitol, Senators Maggie Hassan and John Cornyn have rolled out companion legislation in the Senate as part of a coordinated bicameral push, according to a release from Senator Hassan's office. Supporters say the goal is to hit international fentanyl trafficking that relies on anonymizing technology. Both the House and Senate versions still have to clear committee markups before any floor votes are scheduled. The House bill, which has been referred to multiple committees, is listed with full text and referrals on Congress.gov.
Local Stakes And What To Watch
El Paso outlets zeroed in on Gonzales' announcement, highlighting the bill’s focus on blocking fentanyl shipments that can slip across borders after being purchased online. KFOX reports that supporters hope codifying J‑CODE and tightening sentencing guidelines will give prosecutors and investigators more leverage against transnational darknet networks as the legislation moves through Congress.
