CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Federal drug enforcement agents seized nearly one million doses of fentanyl across four states during a month-long operation that resulted in more than 60 arrests.
The Drug Enforcement Administration's Rocky Mountain Field Division conducted Phase II of Operation Fentanyl Free America between January 12 and February 10, 2026. The operation targeted drug trafficking networks operating in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana.
Agents seized nearly 17 kilograms of fentanyl powder and 193,417 fentanyl pills during the operation. The haul represents approximately 920,000 doses removed from streets across the region, according to the DEA.
Law enforcement made 62 arrests and confiscated 57 firearms. Agents also seized $5.53 million in U.S. currency during the operation.
"Fentanyl continues to be the number one drug threat the United States has ever faced," said DEA RMFD Special Agent in Charge David Olesky. "Fentanyl is killing people each and every day across our Division's four states – Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. This latest surge took deadly poison out of our communities – to the tune of more than 900,000 deadly doses."
Olesky said enforcement efforts will continue beyond this operation.
"We're not through – this is only the continuation of what the men and women of DEA are doing every single day," Olesky said.
The regional operation was part of a nationwide effort. Across the country, Operation Fentanyl Free America seized more than 4.7 million fentanyl pills and nearly 2,396 pounds of fentanyl powder during the 30-day period. That represents more than 57 million doses nationwide, according to the DEA.
DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said the drug crisis requires a coordinated response targeting both supply chains and community education.
"The drug poisoning epidemic has been cultivated by designated terrorist cartels who operate like multi-billion-dollar corporations and have weaponized fentanyl with the clear objective to increase America's dependence on illicit drugs," Cole said. "Drug seizures in the United States strike directly at cartel profits, while efforts to disrupt supply chains and dismantle money laundering networks deliver consequences far beyond our borders."
The DEA said it continues to prioritize dismantling transnational criminal organizations and disrupting the financial systems that fund drug cartels.