Tag: fentanyl

Growing Division Among California Democrats Stalls Fentanyl Bill Again Amid Fiery Protests by Victims’ Families

SACRAMENTO—A series of outbursts echoed in the chambers of a Senate Public Safety Committee hearing on April 25 following comments indicating a bill—designed to warn fentanyl dealers of potential murder charges—would not proceed, with one victim’s family member yelling at the representatives on his way out the door, as Democratic lawmakers fought over amended language….


Chinese Money Launderers Are Central to Cartels’ Fentanyl Trade: Rep. McClain

China’s communist regime is overlooking massive money laundering schemes conducted by Chinese nationals to support cartels flooding the United States with lethal opioids. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gives cover to money laundering schemes supporting the production of synthetic drugs that kill hundreds of thousands of Americans, according to testimony received during an April 26…


San Diego Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Fatal Fentanyl Drug Sale

SAN DIEGO—A San Diego man who took part in the sale of fentanyl-laced pills that led to a woman’s overdose death was sentenced this week to 10 years in federal prison. Jonathan Miguel Lopez, 35, pleaded guilty to his role in the sale of pills to 23-year-old Sherie Gil, who was found dead Sept. 30,…


California Bill That Would Impose Harsher Penalties on Fentanyl Dealers to Be Reconsidered

Along with several other bipartisan fentanyl bills previously shelved by California lawmakers, Senate Bill 44, which would impose harsher punishments on fentanyl dealers, will also get a second chance at life with a hearing for reconsideration by the state Senate’s Public Safety Committee scheduled for April 25. Authored by Sens. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) and…


Abrupt About Face From California Lawmakers, Fentanyl Bills to Be Heard April 27

Pressure from the public following a press conference in Sacramento earlier this month protesting the Assembly Public Safety Committee’s shelving of a series of bipartisan fentanyl bills has led the committee to reconsider its decisions, with a special hearing now scheduled for April 27. “I was so incredibly happy and relieved,” Pamela Smith, mother of…


Former San Diego-Based Marine Sentenced to 12 Years for Drug Trafficking

SAN DIEGO—A former San Diego-based U.S. Marine who coordinated the trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States was sentenced Friday to 12 years in federal prison. While stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Roberto Salazar II recruited people to work as couriers—including fellow former Marines—to transport drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border,…


Residents and Advocates Rally for Safer Streets in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO—Dozens of San Francisco residents and advocates protested in front of City Hall on April 16 against open-air drug markets and unsafe streets. Protesters urged officials to take measures against visible drug abuse and drug-induced crimes. The protesters held banners stating “Stop Open Air Drug Markets,” “Conservative Democrats For Rule Of Law,” “Save Our…


How Many Deaths Will It Take Before Biden Forcefully Addresses the Fentanyl Crisis?

Commentary PENN HILLS, Pennsylvania—When the Penn Hills police and paramedics arrived at the modest suburban Pittsburgh home in the 8100 block of Chaske Street on Jan. 14, they found the father of 7-month-old Zhuri Bogle desperately performing CPR on his infant daughter. It was 6:44 a.m., and with the exception of a few flurries swirling…


Newport Beach Group Collecting Signatures for Stricter California Fentanyl Laws

On a recent afternoon along a stretch of Beach Boulevard in Garden Grove, California, a man winced before slumping over at a bus stop as he tightly gripped a blowtorch he had used to heat fentanyl. Another man next to him had already passed out after doing the drug in broad daylight just feet away…


Nurse Pleads Guilty to Replacing Fentanyl With Saline

MIAMI—A nurse who previously worked at a Florida outpatient surgical center has been convicted of stealing fentanyl and replacing the powerful pain medication with saline. Catherine Shannon Dunton, 54, pleaded guilty Tuesday to tampering with a consumer product in Fort Pierce federal court, according to court records. She faces up to 10 years in prison…