Operation Crystal Shield: DEA program seizes meth trafficking in the U.S.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr announced results of an operation aimed at keeping methamphetamine out of the U.S. and off the streets.

The DEA launched “Operation Crystal Shield” in February 2019. The goal is to target major drug trafficking networks that are responsible for bringing meth into the U.S.

With Crystal Shield nationwide, so far in the U.S. there have been 1,800 arrests and 28,500 pounds of meth seized, that is equivalent to 65 million doses and $43 million seized.

In addition to violence there has been an increase in meth overdoses. In 2018 there were approximately 12,000 overdoses with stimulants like meth. In 2019, it went up to 16,000, a 25 percent increase.

Barr describes meth as a brutal drug linked to violent crime and fatal overdoses with trafficking posing a major risk to communities. “Meth is a very dangerous drug. It ravages the body. I think we have all seen the before and after shots. Teeth fall out, scabs on the face that the addicted person picks at. Trafficking of meth poses a major danger to our communities and the federal government is determined to disrupt and dismantle and destroy the violent drug trafficking organizations that place profits over human lives.”

The attorney general says “Operation Crystal Shield” has identified nine cities which account for more than 75 percent of the meth seized by DEA in 2019. The nine major methamphetamine trafficking hubs are: Atlanta, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Diego, and St. Louis.