The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported significant drug seizures across four mountain states last year, with most of the drugs reportedly supplied by two major cartels operating from the southern border.
According to a recent DEA statement, agents confiscated around 8.7 million fentanyl pills and close to 3,100 pounds of methamphetamine in states like Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming.
“These figures are quite alarming. In Colorado alone, pill seizures skyrocketed by 76% compared to the previous year, while Utah experienced a doubling in seizures. This data should not only serve as a wake-up call but should genuinely shock those living in this four-state region,” remarked David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division.
The DEA also noted that nationwide, around 47 million pills have been seized.
Colorado experienced its largest methamphetamine seizure in April, with 733 pounds taken off the streets. The state also recorded its biggest single seizure of fentanyl pills in November, totaling 1.7 million.
Cesar Avila, the DEA’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge overseeing Wyoming and Montana, shared with Cowboy State Daily that the majority of drugs are traced back to the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. These networks distribute drugs to cities such as Denver and Salt Lake City before moving them to Wyoming.
“When dealing with users, the focus isn’t on profit; it’s about effectiveness,” Avila explained. “They’re not necessarily in it for business reasons—they’re driven by addiction.”
Avila further estimated that both cartels have a presence in nearly all communities across Wyoming.
He elaborated that, south of the border, these cartels commonly employ tractor-trailers to transfer drugs to central hubs, from which they are delivered to Wyoming, either by individual drivers or through the mail.
“The DEA remains dedicated to combating drug cartels operating in our four states, aiming to dismantle the networks that endanger our communities,” Olesky stated.
As of early 2026, the DEA reported having seized over 239,000 fentanyl pills and more than 10,000 methamphetamine pills so far this year.
The Trump administration had previously declared a war on fentanyl, targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels in U.S. waters through military airstrikes and imposing tariffs on Mexico and China, the principal sources of the chemicals used to produce this illegal drug.
