The Fentanyl Crisis: DEA Staged a Murder to Save a Life
Listen to the interview with Cheri Oz as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major podcast platforms.
The Deadly Toll of Fentanyl
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, has emerged as a leading cause of drug-related deaths in the United States. In 2022 alone, over 107,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses, with fentanyl playing a major role in this grim statistic. Arizona, a key battleground state in the fentanyl crisis, saw the DEA seize 12 million fentanyl pills in 2021—double the amount confiscated the year before.
The drug’s danger lies in its potency and its stealth. Frequently mixed with heroin, cocaine, or pressed into counterfeit pills, fentanyl often goes undetected by users, leading to fatal overdoses. Its production and distribution are facilitated by an efficient and ruthless illicit drug trade. Precursor chemicals, often sourced from China, are synthesized into fentanyl in massive "super labs" operated by cartels.
Inside the DEA’s High-Stakes Operations
Faced with this crisis, the DEA is continually evolving its strategies. The agency’s work goes beyond seizing drugs; it’s about saving lives—both on the streets and in the courtroom. Cheri Oz, who describes her position as “the best job in the world,” shares the complexities of dismantling drug cartels while ensuring the safety of key witnesses.
One of the DEA’s tactics involves staging fake murders to protect witnesses. In rare and extreme cases, federal agents orchestrate these elaborate ruses to convince organized crime groups that a target—often a witness slated to testify—has been eliminated. These operations are meticulously planned to fool some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations.
A Witness in Danger
Early in her career, Cheri Oz was involved in saving the life of a witness who had a cartel-issued contract out for their death. The individual’s testimony was critical for taking down a violent crime syndicate, but their safety couldn’t be guaranteed through traditional means. The solution? Stage their murder.
The operation was a high-risk gambit, but it worked. With evidence designed to mislead the cartel, the witness’s “death” was convincingly staged. Not only did this protect the individual, but it also ensured their testimony could be used to secure convictions, striking a significant blow to the cartel’s operations.
Fighting the Fentanyl Epidemic
While dramatic cases like staged murders highlight the DEA’s extraordinary measures, the agency’s day-to-day work is equally intense. As the drug market shifts from marijuana to synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl, the DEA must adapt constantly.
“Now, with these precursor chemicals coming from China and these super labs manufacturing synthetic fentanyl and methamphetamine, we are looking at an unquantifiable amount of drugs focused right here in Arizona,” says Oz. “It is more terrifying now than I’ve ever seen.”
The Phoenix division’s efforts to disrupt this supply chain are relentless. In recent years, the agency has seized enough fentanyl to kill millions. Yet despite these achievements, the fight is far from over.
Raising Awareness
Beyond enforcement, the DEA is leveraging media and technology to raise public awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn have become vital tools for spreading their message. The agency’s efforts are amplified through platforms like the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show, where experts like Cheri Oz share critical insights into their work and the broader war on drugs.
You can listen to Cheri Oz’s full interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show podcast website, also available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms.
The Emotional Toll of the Mission
While successes like witness protection and large-scale drug seizures highlight the DEA’s capabilities, the emotional toll on agents and the communities they serve is significant. For Cheri Oz and her team, the work is both grueling and fulfilling. Knowing they’re making a difference in one of the most critical battles of our time drives their commitment.
Whether it’s faking a murder to save a life or intercepting enough fentanyl to protect an entire city, the DEA’s mission is clear: safeguard communities and stem the tide of deadly drugs. As the crisis evolves, so too will the agency’s strategies, ensuring no tactic is off the table when it comes to saving lives.
Listen to the full interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show podcast website, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most major podcast platforms.
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