Fentanyl is a Weapon. Treat it That Way.

Following President Trump’s designation of fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction (WMD), some pundits have emerged to label this decision as problematic. The clear evidence shows that they're wrong.

Fentanyl and the other deadly synthetic opioids are not merely illegal drugs; they are WMD hiding in plain sight. Fentanyl is lethal at a scale that rivals the most dangerous toxins. Its precursors often manufactured in China, diverted through opaque supply chains, and assembled into fake pills, primarily by the Mexican cartels. The result has been a mass poisoning crisis that has stolen hundreds of thousands of American lives. Victims should not just be statistics, but rather casualties of an unprecedented ongoing attack from foreign adversaries. 

Recent developments involving Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel further highlight the scale and sophistication of the criminal networks driving the synthetic drug trade.

If we are battling WMD, then we must recognize that this is asymmetrical warfare, and eliminate supply and demand. We must modernize our approach to detecting, connecting and disrupting these networks as well as educating and providing services to those in need.

We must fully embrace technology to connect the investigations across jurisdictions. Today’s trafficking organizations are transnational enterprises that use encrypted communications, cryptocurrencies, and rapid distribution networks. A seizure in Arizona, an overdose in Ohio, and a pill press in New York are often part of the same conspiracy. If law enforcement treats these events as isolated incidents, the networks win.

Technology changes that equation. Advanced data analytics, real time information sharing and artificial intelligence can reveal patterns invisible to the naked eye. Platforms like Penlink’s PLX make this possible, enabling law enforcement to conduct live collection and analysis of communications data across multiple sources in one unified system. Linking various data sets, financial transactions, communications metadata, and parcel shipments allows investigators to infiltrate the networks. Identifying command and control nodes, money launderers, and chemical suppliers is critical. Aggressive prosecutions are a must.

State, local, and federal partners must have access to the technology tools and the training to use them. Fragmented systems and outdated platforms slow investigations and create blind spots. Criminal networks do not respect borders; our information systems shouldn’t either. Unifying law enforcement and other elements of government is vital.

We must confront the demand side with the same seriousness as the supply. Enforcement alone cannot arrest our way out of this crisis. Demand is fueled by addiction, untreated mental health issues, and a marketplace saturated with fake pills sold as “safe” pharmaceuticals. Prevention and treatment are not ancillary; they are central to the crisis. Expanding access to addiction treatment, integrating mental health services, strengthening school and community prevention programs, and reducing stigma saves lives and shrinks the market that narco-terrorists exploit.

We have made significant progress with poisoning deaths on the decline. This is a testament to the hard work of law enforcement, public health professionals and grieving families who are fighting hard to spread awareness and refuse to accept the status quo. However, criminal networks adapt faster than bureaucracies. If fentanyl and its precursors are treated as a WMD, our response must be comprehensive and relentless.

Success demands sustained leadership. Declining death counts are encouraging, but they are not victory. Traffickers are moving new deadly synthetic compounds to evade controls. Without continuous investment in technology, partnerships, and demand reduction, today’s gains can vanish tomorrow.

America has the tools, talent and dedicated public servants to resolve this crisis. By addressing demand, connecting cases nationwide with modern technology, and treating fentanyl and its precursors as the weapons they are, we can stay ahead of criminal networks and save lives. The cost of inaction is measured not in dollars, but in empty seats at family tables across the country. 

There are too many faces and too many victims. This is not a red or blue issue; it is a red, white, and blue issue. It's about protecting Americans from an indiscriminate chemical weapon that has already killed more of us than any terrorist attack.

We can spend our time arguing about whether these chemical weapons should be labeled as a weapon of mass destruction, or we can spend our time acting on the urgent threats that are real to our community. Criminals are advancing daily and working to outpace our systems. While we push forward, our adversaries adapt. We must update our systems to save lives and bring justice to those responsible for the crisis.

Derek S. Maltz

Senior Vice President of Global Business Growth and Strategy, Penlink

Derek S. Maltz brings more than 28 years of federal law enforcement and national security leadership to Penlink. A former Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), he also served as Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Special Operations Division and Chief of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force. He is nationally recognized for his efforts to combat fentanyl and transnational drug trafficking, frequently contributing to U.S. media and Congressional discussions on emerging public safety threats. During his earlier decade at Penlink, Derek helped shape federal engagement and advance the integration of digital intelligence tools across public safety agencies. He now leads global strategy and growth initiatives, supporting Penlink’s mission to equip investigators worldwide with innovative, effective intelligence solutions.