Since the expansion of California’s border drug-interdiction operations, more than $506 million in fentanyl has been seized. Governor Gavin Newsom began the strategy in 2021, redirecting the California National Guard to focus on stopping fentanyl traffickers. California National Guard servicemembers were directed to support search-and-seizure enforcement at ports of entry. It was backed by a $30 million state investment that was proposed by Newsom and integrated into the state budget. In 2022 and 2023, $15 million was allotted to expand the military’s effort to prevent drug trafficking from transnational criminal organizations. Another $15 million was allotted during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The investment focused on assisting federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement in combating fentanyl. Servicemembers assigned to the Counter Drug Task Force helped seize 34,357 pounds of fentanyl. That included more than 50 million pills. In 2021, the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard reported 5,961 fentanyl-related overdose deaths. The dashboard reported 6,473 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2022. In 2023, fentanyl-related overdose deaths increased to 7,137. In 2024, there were 4,770 fentanyl overdose-related deaths in California. Monterey County saw a reported 65 opioid overdose-related deaths in the same year, according to the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. San Benito County had 8 reported deaths. Santa Cruz County had 71 opioid overdose-related deaths. A preliminary report of fatal drug-related overdose counts said that there were 3,302 fentanyl-related deaths between January and October 2025. According to a report from the CATO Institute, U.S. citizens made up 89% of convicted fentanyl drug traffickers, which is 12 times greater than convictions of illegal immigrants.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Since the expansion of California’s border drug-interdiction operations, more than $506 million in fentanyl has been seized. Governor Gavin Newsom began the strategy in 2021, redirecting the California National Guard to focus on stopping fentanyl traffickers.

California National Guard servicemembers were directed to support search-and-seizure enforcement at ports of entry.

It was backed by a $30 million state investment that was proposed by Newsom and integrated into the state budget.

In 2022 and 2023, $15 million was allotted to expand the military’s effort to prevent drug trafficking from transnational criminal organizations. Another $15 million was allotted during the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The investment focused on assisting federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement in combating fentanyl.

Servicemembers assigned to the Counter Drug Task Force helped seize 34,357 pounds of fentanyl. That included more than 50 million pills.

In 2021, the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard reported 5,961 fentanyl-related overdose deaths. The dashboard reported 6,473 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2022. In 2023, fentanyl-related overdose deaths increased to 7,137.

In 2024, there were 4,770 fentanyl overdose-related deaths in California. Monterey County saw a reported 65 opioid overdose-related deaths in the same year, according to the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. San Benito County had 8 reported deaths. Santa Cruz County had 71 opioid overdose-related deaths.

A preliminary report of fatal drug-related overdose counts said that there were 3,302 fentanyl-related deaths between January and October 2025.

According to a report from the CATO Institute, U.S. citizens made up 89% of convicted fentanyl drug traffickers, which is 12 times greater than convictions of illegal immigrants.