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FIRST ON FOX — Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is urging the Trump administration to take swift action against a significant loophole. This loophole permits the unchecked influx of fentanyl shipments into the United States, posing a threat to public safety.
During an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Coleman emphasized the urgency of the situation. He stated that while the issue may seem bureaucratic, it is crucial to close this loophole that allows massive quantities of shipments from overseas, particularly from China, to enter the country with minimal inspection.
“We are witnessing an astonishing lack of oversight on these shipments,” Coleman remarked. “In our current threat environment, the fact that little or no inspection occurs for many of these packages is alarming.”
Understanding Entry Type 86
Attorneys General, including Coleman and 24 others from Republican states, have focused on a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pilot program called Entry Type 86. This program was designed to streamline importation processes for low-value items, especially those linked to e-commerce. However, Coleman and his colleagues argue that the program has exceeded its intended scope.
“The program raises serious concerns about the potential flood of dangerous drugs into our country,” Coleman cautioned. “Last year alone, we identified over a billion packages shipped through this loophole while fentanyl continues to devastate communities across the nation.”
The Impact of Fentanyl in America
With the fentanyl crisis at a critical juncture, Coleman conveyed the severity of the issue. He expressed that even a single pill can result in tragic fatalities. In Kentucky, like many other states, families are grappling with the harsh realities of the opioid epidemic.
In a letter sent to the Trump administration, Coleman urged a thorough reassessment of the Entry Type 86 program. He highlighted that a staggering 75% of de minimis goods entering the U.S. now fall under this classification. Shipments surged from 153 million in 2015 to an anticipated 1.2 billion in 2024.
Official Concerns Raised
In their correspondence with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and CBP, the coalition of Republican Attorneys General described the growing influx of shipments as alarming. They stated, “Any surge of this magnitude requires further study, particularly concerning potential challenges within our customs enforcement system and the ensuing threat to public safety.”
Law Enforcement Awareness
Coleman noted that law enforcement officials and those in the shipping industry are already cognizant of this loophole. He underscored that discussions regarding the dangers associated with parcel shipments are ongoing among law enforcement agencies.
“Drug trafficking in today’s world looks quite different from earlier times,” Coleman reflected. “It’s not hidden in the shadows like in the past; it operates more openly now.”
He remains hopeful that the Trump administration will take the concerns seriously, emphasizing the critical need for responsive governance.
Previous Administration Efforts Against Drug Cartels
Since taking office, former President Trump enacted several measures aimed at combating drug cartels. He signed an executive order designating major Mexican drug cartels, such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. This designation allows for actions like freezing the assets of individuals linked with these cartels and imposing harsher legal penalties.
Additionally, following significant law enforcement success in arresting prominent cartel leaders, the administration authorized intelligence agencies, including the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office, to leverage satellite surveillance for monitoring the U.S.-Mexico border effectively.
A Unified Call to Action
In addition to Kentucky’s Coleman, a bipartisan group of attorneys general from states including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, and others supported the initiative. Their collective action underscores the widespread concern regarding the loophole and the urgent need for effective solutions.
Fox News Digital has reached out to CBP, the White House, and the Department of Homeland Security for comments regarding this pressing issue. As pressures mount, stakeholders from various sectors remain watchful for the administration’s response to the growing fentanyl crisis.
