The drug landscape in Chicago is in a constant state of flux, prompting the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to intensify their efforts against the proliferation of lethal substances like fentanyl. The DEA has identified a new pattern in this ongoing battle.
Drug cartels are altering their methods of fentanyl production and distribution within the United States. Recent intelligence indicates that these fentanyl pills are now being manufactured not only across the border but also within American borders.
The ABC7 I-Team gained exclusive access to the DEA’s lab in Chicago, which serves as the epicenter of forensic analysis for the vast quantities of confiscated drugs. Here, chemists meticulously dissect and test the substances to uncover their exact compositions.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Among the items being examined were heaps of M-30s, pills resembling hydrocodone. Although they appear legitimate with blue coloring and official markings, these are counterfeit and laced with fentanyl.
“We’ve observed a shift by Mexican cartels away from large-scale production of counterfeit M-30 pills,” explained Todd Smith, the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Chicago Division.
Smith noted a troubling trend over the past year regarding how cartels transport their illicit goods into the U.S. Instead of bringing in completed fentanyl tablets, there’s been a marked rise in the importation of fentanyl powder across the border.
“We’ve seen that through an increase in fentanyl powder seizures in the Chicago field division,” Smith said. “And our concern is that the pills will be pressed domestically, and we’re starting to see that with pill press seizures that we’re making with across the field division and in Chicago.”
The latest year to date numbers for 2025 from the DEA Chicago Field Division finds 1.6 million counterfeit pills with fentanyl seized so far this year.
Smith is adamant the pills are still coming, but he’s continuing to watch those areas of growing concern.
There were 864 pounds of fentanyl powder seized so far this year. That’s up 67% from last year.
Counterfeit meth pills totaled nearly 470,000 seized so far this year. That’s up a staggering 13 times from 2024, with only 32,000 seized last year.
RELATED | DEA Chicago field office touts progress after record fentanyl busts: I-TEAM EXCLUSIVE
“Cartels are evolving and changing, and as they evolve and change, the DEA will evolve and change,” promised Smith.
He says that is why the DEA has started a new campaign, “Fentanyl Free America,” to focus on disrupting the supply chain of precursor chemicals and fentanyl powder. As deaths from the drug continue to decline across the country, the concern has not.
“We will not rest at DEA until the Sinaloa cartel and the cjng cartels are defeated and brought to justice,” Smith said.
Smith emphasized this new campaign is about protecting citizens through drug enforcement and disruption operations, preventing overdoses and supporting affected families.
