Tester Introduces Bill to Combat Fentanyl Trafficking by Land, Sea, Air, and Rail Transportation Networks

Senator’s bill would crack down on drug trafficking from the southern border and on commuter trains, like Montana’s Empire Builder

Continuing his efforts to secure the border and combat the deadly flow of fentanyl into Montana communities, U.S. Senator Jon Tester introduced his Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on U.S. Transportation Networks Act to combat the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit synthetic drugs via legitimate air, road, sea, and transportation networks.

“The deadly flow of illicit fentanyl into Montana communities is tearing families apart and it’s making our state less safe,” said Tester. “If we’re going to end illicit drug trafficking, we’re going to have to come at this issue from all sides, and that means strengthening our southern border, funding law enforcement, and securing the transportation systems allowing bad actors to get these drugs into our communities. I’m proud to have introduced this bill to give our law enforcement agencies the tools they need to combat illicit drug trafficking and make our transit systems safer for all Montanans.”

Tester’s Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on U.S. Transportation Networks Act would:

• Establish four, transportation mode-specific, pilot programs to determine the feasibility of detecting illicit synthetic drugs, including fentanyl, by deploying and utilizing non-intrusive and other advanced technologies or canines to conduct random inspections of cargo transported via civil aircraft, passenger and freight rail, commercial trucking, and maritime vessels.
• Establish a pilot program to detect illicit drug trafficking on Amtrak and passenger rail, including consulting with state, local, and Tribal law enforcement on enforcing federal drug trafficking laws and on the unique public safety needs of passenger rail lines in rural areas and in Indian Country.
• Authorize the Department of Homeland Security to provide grants to state, local, and Tribal governments to acquire technology and canines, provide training and equipment needed to implement the programs, and pay overtime compensation and other investigative expenses associated with the inspection programs.
• Require Customs and Border Protection to carry out non-intrusive inspections of 100 percent of motor vehicles and railroads entering the United States at all land ports of entry to detect illicit synthetic drugs within five years.

Tester has led the charge to secure the southern border and stop the deadly flow of fentanyl that is wreaking havoc on Montana. He has repeatedly expressed to Secretary Mayorkas and President Biden that the Administration must do more and “use all of the remaining tools at your disposal” to secure our borders and to take action immediately to address the ongoing issues we have at the southern border. He also continues to support investments in border security manpower and technology, and pushed for the deployment and operation of fentanyl screening equipment that has already been purchased.

In April, Tester’s FEND Off Fentanyl Act was signed into law. This bipartisan law imposes economic sanctions on those engaged in the international trafficking of illicit fentanyl, precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, or other related opioids; gives law enforcement more resources to combat fentanyl trafficking; and declares international trafficking of fentanyl as a national emergency. And in May, Tester voted for bipartisan legislation to secure the southern border – the second time he has done so.

As a senior member of the Senator Appropriations Committee, Tester secured key provisions to combat illicit drug trafficking in the 2025 government funding bill, including $298.6 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program, and provisions emphasizing HIDTA’s important work to combat fentanyl trafficking and interdiction, particularly on the southwestern border. He also secured $109 million for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program.