NW Kansas News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, has joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act. The bill aims to address the production of counterfeit and fentanyl-laced pills by requiring pill presses, punches, and dyes to be engraved with serial numbers.

The proposed legislation comes as federal agencies continue to confront the growing threat of fentanyl in the United States. In 2024, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized over 61 million fentanyl-laced pills. Many cartels have reportedly gained access to pill presses similar to those used by pharmaceutical companies, allowing them to produce counterfeit pills that are difficult to distinguish from legitimate medication. Although current law requires companies to keep records on pill press equipment distribution under the Controlled Substances Act, authorities believe that seizures in 43 states represent only a fraction of illicit devices in use.

Senator Moran stated: “Fentanyl has taken the lives of thousands of Americans and continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States,” adding, “By imposing penalties for removing or altering serial numbers on pill presses, law enforcement will be able to more effectively target those responsible for the production of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills and help prevent drug traffickers from flooding our country with these deadly substances.”

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) commented: “Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans age 18 to 45, which underscores just how prevalent this silent killer is in our communities,” He continued, “Our bill would require the serialization of pill presses, punches, and dies to help law enforcement better detect, trace, and prosecute the cartels who produce these deadly pills and perpetuate the fentanyl crisis across our country.”

Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said: “Fentanyl is killing more young Americans than anything else right now, and fake pills are one of the most dangerous ways these synthetic opioids are getting into our communities,” He added, “By requiring serial numbers on pill presses and the tools that make them, this bill gives law enforcement another way to track the chain of custody and hold people who are profiting off of addiction accountable.”

Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) noted: “Communities across North Carolina and the country continue to suffer from the devastating impact of fentanyl, and we must do everything we can to disrupt the cartels and traffickers flooding our streets with these deadly drugs,” He said further: “The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act will give law enforcement an important tool to track down and hold criminals accountable, and I am proud to support this effort to help save lives.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) stated: “Fentanyl has devastated families across Minnesota and this crisis is being fueled by those who use pill presses to make counterfeit drugs. We need to do more to fight traffickers and protect communities,” She concluded: “This bipartisan legislation will require pill presses and their critical parts to have a serial number, which will help law enforcement fight counterfeit pill production, reduce overdoses, and ultimately save lives.”

If enacted, the bill would amend existing federal law so that all encapsulating machines, tableting machines, punches, and dyes must be engraved with a serial number. These serial numbers would also need to be filed with the DEA using existing forms required for pill press machines. The legislation includes criminal penalties for removing or altering serial numbers or possessing or transporting any machine where such identifiers have been tampered with.

The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act has received endorsements from several organizations including National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), National HIDTA Directors Association, CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), and Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD.