Small town police on front lines of cartels’ drug war costing American lives

The small city of Oxford, Alabama has found itself at the center of a drug crisis, with fentanyl being the primary drug of choice for smugglers in the area. In response, the local police department has taken a proactive approach to combatting the issue, using undercover operations to take back their community.

Lou Valoze, a retired ATF agent, is leading a new series on Investigation Discovery called “Operation Undercover.” The show gives viewers an inside look at real-life undercover operations targeting drug suppliers, arms dealers, and human traffickers. The first episode, premiering on Nov. 12, focuses on the efforts of the Oxford Police Department to tackle the fentanyl crisis in their town.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin, has become a major concern for law enforcement agencies across the country. The drug is being produced in super labs, primarily in Mexico, and smuggled into the U.S., where it is mixed with other substances and sold at a cheap price. The availability and affordability of fentanyl have contributed to a surge in overdose deaths, surpassing 100,000 in 2021 alone.

The federal government has recognized the severity of the crisis, with experts attributing the increase in deaths to the potency of fentanyl and its presence in a wide range of illicit drugs. However, there have been misconceptions and misinformation spread about the drug, including claims that touching fentanyl can be fatal, which researchers have debunked.

“Operation Undercover” highlights the connection between Mexico and small towns like Oxford, where drug dealers establish territories for distribution. The Oxford Police Department has been praised for its proactive approach to combatting drug activity, using informants and undercover officers to gather intelligence and conduct investigations.

Despite limited resources, the Oxford Police Department has been successful in conducting undercover operations, gathering intelligence, and working with other law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking in their community. By conducting thorough surveillance and gathering information on suspects, they have been able to stack the deck in their favor when conducting undercover operations.

Overall, “Operation Undercover” sheds light on the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in small communities across the country to combat the deadly impact of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. Through intelligence gathering, surveillance, and collaboration with other agencies, these departments are making a significant impact in the fight against drug trafficking and the opioid crisis.