California National Guard helps seize nearly 40,000 pounds of fentanyl as crime rates fall statewide
California – California’s fight against fentanyl is being measured in tens of thousands of pounds, and hundreds of millions of dollars. Since 2021, the California National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force has helped intercept 39,644 pounds of fentanyl and more than 54.5 million fentanyl pills, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
State officials estimate the drugs carried a combined street value of about $534 million. The seizures come as California is also reporting sharp declines across every major statewide crime category.
Newsom said the CalGuard operation is part of California’s broader public safety strategy, which combines enforcement against criminal networks with addiction treatment, prevention and overdose-reversal efforts.
“California is getting safer because of our sustained investment, strong partnerships and effective strategies to disrupt the criminal networks that put Californians at risk,” Newsom said.
“Our National Guard members are doing exactly that and we’re pairing that enforcement with treatment, prevention and naloxone to help Californians stay healthy and save lives.”
CalGuard counterdrug teams work alongside law enforcement agencies by providing analytical, investigative and logistical support. Their work includes identifying trafficking patterns, connecting cases, assisting interdictions and helping investigators build cases against organized criminal networks.
“Protecting our communities requires relentless teamwork,” California National Guard Major General Matthew P. Beevers said. He credited additional state funding secured in 2021 with strengthening the Guard’s ability to support law enforcement operations statewide.
That work recently earned national recognition. On Aug. 27, a CalGuard Counterdrug Task Force analyst received the 2026 U.S. Interdiction Coordinator Illicit Finance Award from the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy for analytical support.
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California has paired those enforcement efforts with expanded access to naloxone and treatment programs. The statewide Naloxone Distribution Project has reported more than 460,000 opioid overdose reversals.
The state is also pursuing illegal cannabis operations and restricting other products officials consider public health threats, including intoxicating hemp products, kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine products.
Meanwhile, statewide crime figures show broad declines. In 2025, homicide fell 18.6%, robbery dropped 19.9%, property crime declined 14.3%, motor vehicle theft decreased 25.8% and violent crime fell 10.2%.
California’s homicide rate reached 3.5 per 100,000 residents, the lowest level since statewide reporting began in 1966, giving officials another measure of the public safety gains they say they intend to sustain.
