Green Bay Reporter

Rep. Gallagher today met with Brown County Sherriff Todd Delain and received a briefing on the fentanyl crisis and its impact on Northeast Wisconsin. Following the briefing, he held a press conference with the Sheriff to announce that he would be calling for the United States Postal Service to create a Task Force Officer (TFO) in Green Bay that would be responsible for working directly with the Postal Service to investigate fentanyl being trafficked through the mail system. 

In a letter to the USPS formally requesting the designation, Rep. Gallagher said:

"The closest TFOs located near Green Bay and all Northern Wisconsin are the Madison and Milwaukee branches, who are hours away from the crisis in the northern half of the state. In 2022 alone, the DTF seized almost 10,000 grams of fentanyl substances, with 6 out of 10 pills containing a lethal dose. Increased coordination between the postal system and local law enforcement can make a big impact on these numbers and prevent Wisconsinites from consuming this deadly opioid.

"See the letter HERE or read the full text below.

Dear Chief Barksdale, 

I write to you to request the establishment of a Task Force Officer (TFO) in the Green Bay, WI domicile. TFOs are critical force multipliers for the Postal Inspection Service, and gaining the enhanced cooperation with local law enforcement will better protect all of Northern Wisconsin from the current fentanyl crisis. 

In 2010, Brown County was designated by Congress as a HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area). This designation enhanced the ability of the Brown County Drug Task Force (DTF), whose goal is to identify, disrupt and dismantle Drug Trafficking Organizations. The DTF is comprised of Narcotics Investigators from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Green Bay Police Department, De Pere Police Department, and Ashwaubenon Public Safety. However, since 2010 fentanyl has become an additional lethal threat to the community. The Brown County Drug Task Force has been a model representative of North Central HIDTA, leading all initiatives in arrests last year. 

The closest TFOs located near Green Bay and all Northern Wisconsin are the Madison and Milwaukee branches, who are hours away from the crisis in the northern half of the state. In 2022 alone, the DTF seized almost 10,000 grams of fentanyl substances, with 6 out of 10 pills containing a lethal dose. Increased coordination between the postal system and local law enforcement can make a big impact on these numbers and prevent Wisconsinites from consuming this deadly opioid. 

This request stems from calls from local law enforcement to act. Although operations like the DTF are proving effective, the rural areas surrounding Brown County need additional resources to combat the flow of fentanyl at the localized hub before it gets dispersed in the community. Catching these pills and fentanyl substances in the mail system, before they are spread throughout the community is a surefire way to keep the opioid out of the hands of unsuspecting victims. 

I urge your office to consider establishing a TFO in the Green Bay and Brown County area. I believe the impact this officer can make will be a decisive factor in the fight against fentanyl in my district, and all of Northern Wisconsin. Thank you for your consideration, I look forward to hearing from the United States Postal Inspection Service on this matter. 

S/F,

Issues: Health

Original source can be found here.