While the number of annual fentanyl deaths declined slightly from 2022 to 2023, it remains far too high. In 2023, fentanyl was responsible for roughly 70% of the deaths caused by drug overdoses. In the same year, it was the leading cause of death for all regions of the country and all age, race, and ethnic groups.

One gram of fentanyl, roughly the equivalent of a sugar packet, has the potential to kill 50 people. A 2024 DEA assessment found five out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake pills contained a potentially deadly dose of the drug.

Traffickers smuggle it across the border in hidden vehicle compartments, loads of produce, or duct taped to pedestrians or bus passengers.

The fentanyl trade, though, is more than a public health threat. It’s a national security risk, with sales of the drug funding Mexican cartels. In March 2025, the Trump administration named fentanyl and the gangs that traffic it as one of the top threats to the nation’s security in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s annual threat assessment. 

As the success of Operation Blue Lotus shows, technology can play a critical role in fighting the fentanyl trade. In this case, Booz Allen’s data scientists and intelligence experts worked with DHS to build advanced analytics applications capable of finding opportunities to identify and disrupt groups engaging in illegal cross-border activity. Booz Allen trained law enforcement officers on this new tech so they can use it themselves.

In its first week, Operation Blue Lotus led to eight seizures, 16 federal arrests, and two state arrests. The team’s actions prevented 900 pounds of fentanyl, more than 700 pounds of methamphetamines, and more than 100 pounds of cocaine from entering the country.

Over its two-month run, Operation Blue Lotus stopped thousands of pounds of drugs from entering the country and led to more than 200 arrests of alleged smugglers, traffickers, and dealers in California.

DHS continues to use intelligence gathered during Operation Blue Lotus in subsequent investigations as well, helping to put border officers and agents one step ahead of drug traffickers.