Governor DeSantis announces $8.5M increase in funds to fight fentanyl

Grady Judd, Gov. DeSantis fentanyl press conference

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stood by Ron DeSantis as the governor announce an additional $8.5M in funds to fight fentanyl.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Law enforcement agencies across Florida are getting more money to fight the fentanyl epidemic.

On Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was at the Polk County Sheriff's Office in Winter Haven to announce that he was increasing funding for the ‘Safe Program’ by $8.5M as it enters its second year.

In 2023, DeSantis approved $20M in funding for the ‘Safe Program’, which is a fentanyl eradication program through the FDLE.

The ‘Safe Grant’ allows state agencies to conduct large-scale drug trafficking investigations, shutting down complex organizations across Florida.

In January, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd's deputies used the grant to arrest 11 suspects trafficking fentanyl and cocaine and seized eight pounds of fentanyl.

"When you’re talking about fentanyl, you are talking about people who are dealing in death. You are talking about people that are dealing these drugs, knowing that people are going to end up dying after taking them and that is unacceptable," DeSantis stated. "We believe, in the state of Florida, that the people trafficking in fentanyl should be treated like the murderers they are, and we are going to throw the book at them. We are going to give law enforcement the resources so they can hold them accountable."

The state funds have been used to help seize 70 kilograms of fentanyl as well as more than 60,000 fentanyl pills, which is enough to kill 33 million people.

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