Washington, D.C. – Representative Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-04) issued the following statement in response to the recent arrest of a man in Yavapai County, Arizona changed with manslaughter for selling lethal fentanyl.

“Each passing day, fentanyl brings death and despair to communities across America, including in Arizona.  Fentanyl now kills more Americans than car accidents, suicides or gun violence.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 196 Americans are dying each day from fentanyl and more than 2,000 pounds of the deadly drug pour across our open southern border every month, including more than 2,900 pounds this past November – the highest ever.

The calamity grows worse every day.  Sadly, a man suspected of selling lethal fentanyl in Yavapai County, Arizona was recently charged with manslaughter after the drugs he sold killed another man.

Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 8228, the Death Penalty for Dealing Fentanyl Act, legislation that would punish a defendant with the death penalty or life in prison if convicted of selling or distributing fentanyl.  Under my bill, the alleged drug dealer in Yavapai County would face the death penalty, not mere manslaughter, where he will be released in just a few years.

It is long past time that those responsible for selling and distributing fentanyl pay a heavy price and I once again call on congress to take up this much needed legislation,” concluded Congressman Gosar.

Background:

Fentanyl-related deaths doubled in 30 states between 2019 and 2021, according to an analysis of U.S. government data by the opioid awareness organization Families Against Fentanyl.  The synthetic opioid can be deadly even in very small amounts, and other drugs, including heroin, meth and marijuana, can be laced with the dangerous drug. Mexico and China are the primary sources for the flow of fentanyl into the United States, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

H.R. 8228 would amend Part D of the Controlled Substance Act by adding any person who knowingly distributes, possesses with the intents to distribute, or manufactures fentanyl shall, if death results, be punished by death or imprisonment for life.