The Drug Threat Landscape in Chicago: DEA Responds to Evolving Fentanyl Crisis
The drug threat landscape in Chicago is constantly evolving, and so are the strategies of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as they combat the rise of deadly substances like fentanyl on city streets. The DEA is now tracking a troubling new trend: cartels are changing how fentanyl is produced and distributed in the United States, with intelligence revealing that fentanyl-laced pills are being manufactured closer to home, both at the border and stateside.
Inside the DEA Chicago Lab
The ABC7 I-Team was given rare access inside the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Chicago Division laboratory. This facility serves as the heart of forensic analysis for massive amounts of seized drugs. There, chemists dissect and test substances to determine exactly what is inside, ensuring law enforcement stays one step ahead in the battle against counterfeit and dangerous drugs.
A closer look at one workbench revealed mounds of M-30s—hydrocodone pills that appear legitimate. While these pills are blue and stamped with familiar markings, they are actually counterfeit and contain fentanyl.
Shifting Tactics by Cartels
“We’ve seen a shift of the Mexican cartels away from the mass production of counterfeit M-30 pills,” said Todd Smith, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Chicago Division. Smith explained that over the past year, there has been a significant change in how cartels move contraband into the country. Instead of bringing in fully formed fentanyl pills, there’s been a noticeable increase in fentanyl powder crossing the border.
“We’ve seen that through an increase in fentanyl powder seizures in the Chicago field division,” Smith said. “Our concern is that the pills will be pressed domestically, and we’re starting to see that with pill press seizures that we’re making across the field division and in Chicago.”
Rising Seizure Numbers and New Worries
The latest year-to-date numbers from the DEA Chicago Field Division (2025) show that 1.6 million counterfeit pills containing fentanyl have been seized so far this year. According to Smith, “The pills are still coming,” but areas of increasing concern are closely monitored.
Additionally, 864 pounds of fentanyl powder have been seized as of this year—a dramatic 67% increase from last year. Counterfeit meth pills are also on the rise, with nearly 470,000 seized so far in 2025, compared to only 32,000 in 2024. That is an astonishing thirteen-fold increase in just one year.
Adapting Law Enforcement Strategies
“Cartels are evolving and changing, and as they evolve and change, the DEA will evolve and change,” Smith promised. In response, the DEA has launched a new campaign, “Fentanyl Free America,” focused on disrupting the supply chain of precursor chemicals and fentanyl powder.
While deaths attributed to fentanyl have begun to decline nationwide, concerns remain high. Smith emphasized the DEA’s commitment: “We will not rest at DEA until the Sinaloa cartel and the CJNG cartels are defeated and brought to justice.”
Protecting Communities
Smith underscored that this new campaign is about protecting citizens through strong drug enforcement and disruption operations, preventing overdoses, and supporting families affected by fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.
As the battle against deadly substances continues, the DEA and Chicago law enforcement remain vigilant, adapting their tactics to meet new threats and keep communities safe.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/anti-fentanyl-mission-how-drug-enforcement-administration-chicago-division-combats-deadly-drugs-flooding-streets/18251923/