RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Over 550 pounds of fentanyl were seized across Virginia over a 45-day period through the efforts of Operation FREE (Fentanyl Awareness, Reduction, Enforcement and Eradication), according to the Office of Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).
On Thursday, Nov. 7, Youngkin announced the results of the operation, which was developed following his fentanyl-focused Executive Order 26 . According to his office, over 19,000 pounds of narcotics were seized, 1,081 people were arrested and 267 firearms were confiscated in the 45 days prior to Nov. 7.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reports that, in 2022, nearly 2,500 Virginians died as a result of a fentanyl overdose. Of all drug overdose deaths in the state that year, fentanyl, its analogs and tramadol were involved in nearly 8 out of 10.
“We worked very hard during the operation to enhance education focused on the dangers of fentanyl — stressing that ‘It Only Takes One’ pill to take a life and one important conversation to save a life,” said first lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin.