NE Wyoming News

Congresswoman Harriet Hageman introduced the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act today, a bill aimed at addressing the rise in fentanyl-related deaths by requiring pill presses to be engraved with serial numbers. The legislation is both bipartisan and bicameral, with Representatives Stansbury (NM-01), Fry (SC-07), Crenshaw (TX-02), and Harder (CA-09) co-leading in the House of Representatives. Senators Cornyn (R-TX), Coons (D-DE), Moran (R-KS), Klobuchar (D-MN), and Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced the Senate version.

Representative Hageman commented on the bill, stating, “The scourge of deadly fentanyl pouring over our borders has claimed the lives of far too many of our family members and friends. Law enforcement is seizing more fentanyl-laced pills, and the vast majority of pills contain lethal doses of fentanyl. By requiring an engraved serial number, law enforcement can better track presses back to the cartels and traffickers producing these deadly drugs.”

Rep. Melanie Stansbury emphasized the urgency of addressing fentanyl disguised as medication: "Fentanyl disguised as medication is killing young people across our country, and it is critical we keep working to stop the flow of this lethal drug into the United States. I am proud to have co-led this bill to stop the process at the beginning - by serializing pill presses used to make deadly and illegal fentanyl-laced pills."

Representative Fry also voiced his support for the initiative: “Fentanyl poisoning has taken the lives of countless Americans, including many South Carolinians. I am proud to work with my colleagues to develop a solution and introduce the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act. Too many families have lost a loved one to fentanyl poisoning, and I am committed to doing all that I can in Congress to crack down on drug cartels and drug traffickers to protect our communities.”

Congressman Dan Crenshaw highlighted how serialization would aid law enforcement: "For the safety of our communities, it’s imperative that we give law enforcement the ability to trace these illicit pill presses moving across borders. This legislation will allow officers to better understand the criminal supply chain. Serializing pill presses will also give them better tools to effectively catch and prosecute cartels who use this equipment to disguise deadly drugs and exploit our children for profit.”

Rep. Harder underscored how stopping counterfeit pill production could save lives: “The fentanyl epidemic is killing our community. We have to use every tool available to stop criminals from selling this stuff. One tool we have is taking down the counterfeit pill industry. These drug dealers make lethal pills by using imported or illegally obtained pill presses – this bill cuts off that supply and makes it easier for law enforcement to catch these heartless criminals. Simply put: less supply means thousands of lives saved.”

Background information provided indicates that while legitimate pharmaceutical companies use pill presses for production, drug traffickers—including Mexican cartels—have acquired these machines to produce counterfeit medications laced with dangerous substances like fentanyl. In 2023, DEA seizures included over 79 million fake pills containing fentanyl—a 33% increase from 2022—with testing showing 7 out of 10 pills containing potentially lethal doses.

The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act has garnered endorsements from several organizations including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Sergeants Benevolent NYPD, National District Attorneys Association, National HIDTA Directors Association, National Narcotics Officers Associations Coalition, Major County Sheriffs of America, and CPAC.