A new drug overdose task force is set to combat against fentanyl crisis in Maryland

MARYLAND – A new task force has been formed in Maryland under the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

Starting in October 2024, the task force comprises 17 state, local, and federal offices, including the Ocean City Police Department and Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said this is coming together at a great time, as the county has been struggling with the crisis.

“Just last night in Wicomico County, we had another fatal overdose, we had one last Sunday, we had one last night, and we’re hopeful that working with the US Attorney’s office we can identify those responsible for selling this lethal amount of fentanyl in Wicomico County,” Sheriff lewis said.

According to the DEA, the fentanyl and opioid crisis has reached all of Maryland.

From July 2023 through June 2024, there were over 2,000 overdose deaths, with more than 1,600 of them fentanyl-related. Sheriff Lewis says his agency is all in to fix the problem.

“Make no mistake about it, we can’t do it alone, we need all the assistance we can muster. It’s a hands-on-deck approach to dealing with this opioid and fentanyl crisis that’s dealing with this opioid and fentanyl crisis that’s currently destroying our country,” Sheriff lewis said.

Baltimore City is where the opioids are coming from according to Sheriff Lewis, “Most of the dope we have coming into Wicomico now is being shipped down from Baltimore, a lot of the people are going to Baltimore and tripping for the day, and their coming back and bringing back large amounts of fentanyl and heroin.”

Finally, Sheriff Lewis is encouraging people to call the department if they have any information about the crisis.

“I would encourage any of viewers to pass on any information that they have on fentanyl and heroin distribution in Wicomico County, have them send it over to me directly at MikeLewis@WicomicoCounty.org.”