The Canada-U.S. fentanyl “joint strike force” has arrived
U.S. President Donald Trump called for it and now it’s here: the Canada-U.S. “joint fentanyl strike force” is officially in action.
U.S. President Donald Trump called for it and now it’s here: the Canada-U.S. “joint fentanyl strike force” is officially in action.
RCMP Chief Superintendent Mathieu Bertrand confirmed that the binational task force—designed to combat the production, trafficking, and distribution of fentanyl—is fully operational, with new details recently unveiled.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was the first to suggest a joint task force and border czar in January when Trump was first threatening Canada with his tariffs.
Shortly after, Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty officially announced plans for the task force on Feb. 4, along with the appointment of a fentanyl czar.
Additionally, Ottawa pledged to list organized crime cartels as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code, along with a new $200 million “intelligence directive” on cross-border crime.
A day before McGuinty’s announcement, Trudeau announced on X he “had a good call with President Trump” regarding the measures and $1.3 billion in new border spending, before celebrating the first 30-day pause on U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
“In addition,” Trudeau continued,” Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering.”
As part of the $1.3 billion in new spending, the lead Canadian border agency was provided new funding for helicopters, drones, and mobile surveillance towers.
Additionally, Health Canada was provided with a new Canadian “drug profiling centre,” a new “chemical precursor risk management unit,” and an “accelerated regulatory process” for banning precursors.
For his part, Bertrand said the decision to list Mexican cartels as terrorist entities was particularly impactful.
“It gives us the ability with the banks to freeze their assets. It gives us an opportunity to consider charges on terrorism financing,” he said.
Canadian fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau, meanwhile, said he’s already been to Washington at least once, and Bertrand said the RCMP have met with American officials at least twice since the announcement of a joint strike force.
The renewed focus on fentanyl comes in the wake of Trump’s latest volley of tariffs on Canadian goods.
Fentanyl is responsible for 21 deaths per day in Canada and over 200 deaths per day in the United States.
And yet in Surrey a raid results in no arrests or charges? https://www.thebureau.news/p/bc-fentanyl-ring-negotiated-with?r=13egn2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
It appears that it's all a political show. It's like sending a two year old out to catch all the musquitos in musquito season. When we have a national police force sitting in the donut shop looking for traffic speeders. There's no effort to search and arrest these drugists, as there is no penalty to keep the enforcement, So why bother. If people don't do drugs these guys would be out of business.