In an unprecedented partnership, Alabama and Virginia launched Operation Free, a joint law enforcement initiative aimed at curbing the fentanyl epidemic plaguing communities across the United States. In the operation, which began on September 15 and concluded on October 31, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin aligned their states’ resources in an effort to address the spread of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.

During the operation, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force (ADETF) seized more than 48,800 grams of illicit drugs, including approximately 1,700 grams of fentanyl. Governor Ivey underscored the importance of the joint operation, saying, “The fentanyl epidemic in the United States is one of our most serious threats and we are doing everything we can in Alabama to combat it and protect our citizens. I am proud to join Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in Operation Free to help address this danger nationwide. Fentanyl cannot steal our people’s future, so we will continue to fight to ensure this deadly drug is not a cause of death in Alabama. “A safe Alabama is a safe future for Alabama, and a safe future is our goal.”

The Alabama Legislature has been instrumental in advancing anti-fentanyl efforts, and state Rep. Rex Reynolds praised the operation’s alignment with ongoing state efforts. “Operation Free aligns perfectly with the state of Alabama’s ongoing efforts to combat the opioid and fentanyl epidemic,” Reynolds said. “Over the past three legislative sessions, Alabama has made significant progress in equipping law enforcement to fight fentanyl traffickers by imposing the harshest penalties in the country. Additionally, we have imposed fentanyl educational curricula in our public schools through the Price Hornsby Act and have invested heavily in substance abuse treatment. “Every detail counts when it comes to saving lives and I look forward to our continued efforts to protect the people of Alabama.”

Congressman Dale Strong, who joined the operation, highlighted the complex border-related factors contributing to the crisis. “As a lifelong first responder, I have personally worked on over 300 drug overdose calls. “The devastation of this epidemic continues to grow as we see other dangerous drugs laced with fentanyl,” he said. “This deadly drug is crossing our southern border and wreaking havoc on our communities. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I believe securing the border is one piece of the puzzle in ending this epidemic. At the local level, we must equip law enforcement, fund recovery efforts, and educate our people. “I am proud to join Operation Free to continue finding ways to stop the spread of fentanyl.”

Operation Free underscores the severity of the fentanyl crisis, which has escalated to such levels that, in 2023 alone, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized more than 80 million pills containing fentanyl and 12,000 pounds of powdered fentanyl, equivalent to more than 390 million potentially lethal doses. ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor emphasized the need for state-to-state partnerships to combat this deadly trend, saying, “Public safety is a shared responsibility that transcends state borders. “We are proud to join our state counterparts during Operation Free and will continue to take proactive steps to protect our state from the destruction and growing concern caused by fentanyl.”

ALEA has steadily increased its fentanyl seizures, reaching 18,500 grams in fiscal year 2023, more than double the amount seized the previous year. Specialized task forces such as the ADETF and the newly created Metropolitan Crime Suppression Unit (MACS) have also stepped up their efforts, with MACS recently seizing enough fentanyl in a single operation to endanger more than 5,000 people.

Beyond law enforcement, Alabama’s efforts include combating the fentanyl crisis within the state prison system. Drug smuggling has long fueled violence and instability within correctional facilities, and the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) has stepped up its contraband enforcement efforts in an attempt to disrupt criminal supply chains. “ADOC is committed to enforcing its zero-tolerance policy on smuggling, even when it comes to policing our own,” said ADOC Commissioner Hamm.

As the fentanyl epidemic continues to claim lives across the United States, Alabama and Virginia’s determination to disrupt this devastating drug crisis marks a critical step in protecting their communities from further harm.