Memphis Standard

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Ted Cruz have called on the Department of Justice to reconsider the Biden administration's decision to suspend consensual searches at major transit facilities, which include airports. They argue that this suspension undermines the Transportation Interdiction Program, vital for preventing the influx of illegal substances such as fentanyl into the nation.

Blackburn and Cruz highlight the program's proven effectiveness in drug seizures over previous years. "At a time when our nation has endured the pouring of fentanyl and other narcotics into our communities, this critical program led to numerous arrests, millions of dollars of drug proceeds, and the interdiction of thousands of kilos of narcotics," they stated. For example, DEA agents seized significant quantities of drugs, including 33 kilos of fentanyl pills and 1,547 kilos of marijuana, at Nashville Airport from 2022 to 2024. Similar operations at Chicago's MDW yielded 225 kilos of cocaine and 9 kilos of meth.

The senators emphasize that reinstating the interdiction efforts would support ongoing actions to combat drug trafficking. They point to previous progress made in drug control efforts, including former President Trump's measures at the southern border and law enforcement empowerment. "Prohibiting DEA agents and task force officers from conducting these critical interdiction efforts in transit hubs will only allow for higher quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other narcotics to come into our country through our transit hubs and onto our streets," they argued.