NM law enforcement gets $9.5 million to address overdose epidemic, drug trafficking

The White House’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program recently announced more than $9.5 million to provide New Mexico’s law enforcement agencies new tools to keep communities safe from fentanyl and reduce violent crime associated with drug trafficking.

The New Mexico congressional delegation welcomed $9,502,108 from the HIDTA Program.

“Too many New Mexicans know the heartache of losing a loved one to the opioid epidemic — it’s why I’m fighting hard to ensure New Mexico’s law enforcement has the tools they need to keep our communities safe from fentanyl and other deadly drugs,” Sen. Martin Heinrich said. “This $9.5 million will help our state crack down on drug trafficking and save lives.”

Created by Congress in 1988, the HIDTA program supports federal, state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. HIDTAs assess the drug threats in their communities and develop strategies to advance public health and public safety.

"This $9.5 million in funding support from the Biden Administration is a big part of our state's fight against the influx of deadly, illicit drugs that is happening currently," U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury said. "These multi-state operations from cartels and criminal organizations must end. The resources and funds sent to these High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas — HIDTAs — are one way to stop these illegal operations from the start and save lives. The Biden Administration is strengthening New Mexico's fight against drug trafficking."

This new funding from HIDTA will help support law enforcement agencies across the country that seize illicit drugs like fentanyl, prevent and reduce gun violence and other violent crime associated with drug trafficking, improve interdiction efforts through enhanced data sharing and targeting, and dismantle illicit finance operations.

“Addressing the overdose epidemic is a key priority of President Biden, and a pillar of his unity agenda for the nation,” said White House Drug Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta. “This funding will help law enforcement officials crack down on illicit drug trafficking and keep our communities safe. The HIDTA Program is a critical component of our whole-of-society work to strengthen both public health and public safety efforts to beat the overdose epidemic and save lives.”

For more information on this grant, from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, click here.