Congress recently approved $200 million in funding to install 56 new scanning systems at southern U.S. border crossings to detect fentanyl in personal vehicles. According to Department of Homeland Security officials, 95% of the fentanyl seized by U.S. law enforcement is found in personal vehicles driven across the border by U.S. citizens, making the scanners a crucial tool in detecting the drug. This funding came after a NBC News report highlighted that existing scanners were sitting unused in warehouses. The new systems are expected to be in place by 2026, with the goal of scanning 40% of all personal vehicles crossing the border.
Despite the progress in installing new scanners, critics argue that it is still not enough given the magnitude of the fentanyl crisis. Former CBP official Bobby Watt, who oversaw non-intrusive inspection scanning at ports of entry for over 30 years, believes that 100% of personal vehicles should be scanned to effectively combat drug smuggling. He suggests that drug smugglers would likely avoid ports with scanners, leading to more interceptions of illegal substances. However, challenges such as lack of space at ports of entry and insufficient funding from Congress have hindered efforts to reach this goal. The 40% of vehicles to be scanned will be those determined to pose the highest risk, rather than randomly chosen vehicles.
Parents who have lost children to fentanyl, like Cindy DeMaio, have welcomed the new funding for additional scanners as a step towards preventing more tragedies. DeMaio, who lost her daughter to fentanyl poisoning in 2016, works with parents across the country to educate others about the dangers of the drug. She emphasizes the importance of increasing efforts to catch drug smugglers and reduce the negative impacts of fentanyl on communities. Senators John Cornyn and Maggie Hassan have also raised concerns about the slow progress in installing scanners and have introduced a bipartisan bill to evaluate different types of scanners for their effectiveness in detecting fentanyl.
The U.S. government has faced challenges in installing fentanyl scanners at ports of entry since 2021, with funding constraints and construction issues contributing to delays. Critics have urged for a more comprehensive approach to scanning vehicles, while DHS has cited obstacles such as lack of space and funding limitations. The new congressional funding will allow for 40% of vehicles to be scanned, targeting those with the highest risk of carrying illegal substances. Efforts to enhance detection technology and prevent the influx of fentanyl across the southern border are ongoing, with lawmakers pushing for rigorous testing of new scanners to ensure their efficacy in intercepting the deadly drug.
Sen. John Cornyn has called for a Government Accountability Office inquiry to examine how DHS has spent over a billion dollars on X-ray equipment for detecting fentanyl. The inquiry is underway, with a report expected to be completed this year. Cornyn and Sen. Maggie Hassan have highlighted the urgency of addressing the fentanyl crisis and preventing more deaths caused by the drug. Their bipartisan bill aims to evaluate different types of scanners to identify the most effective technology for detecting fentanyl at land ports of entry. With increasing concerns about the impact of fentanyl on communities, efforts to strengthen detection systems and prevent illicit drug trafficking are crucial to protecting public health and safety.
