North Egypt News

A recent drug smuggling arrest has sparked significant concern among local leaders and activists across Illinois, including Bryan Howell, a prominent Royalton Republican activist, who has been vocal about the escalating drug crisis. 

Howell shed light on the broader implications of the fentanyl epidemic.

“Unfortunately, I don't think we can ever completely dismantle illegal drug trafficking in the U.S.; there are so many innovative means to manufacture and distribute these drugs,” Howell told North Egypt News. “To be successful in this endeavor would require a truly Herculean effort on behalf of law enforcement officials and law-abiding citizens.”

Howell highlighted the gravity of the situation. 

“I came across an interesting factoid several months ago,” he said. “There is enough illegal fentanyl on the streets to kill everyone in the United States. If this is even close to the truth then it is way past time to do something to stop it.”

Howell further expressed his concern by referencing a TV show. 

“I occasionally watch an interesting show on Discovery called ‘Contraband: Seized at the Border.’ It takes place mostly along the shared border of Texas and Mexico. The amount of illegal drugs, weapons, and money being smuggled in from Mexico is truly alarming,” he said. “The point being, we are at war with Mexico whether people realize it or not. I believe this program should be shown regularly in high school classrooms. It gives a completely impartial view of the true scope of these issues.”

Addressing the situation locally, Howell criticized the current state of law enforcement in Illinois. 

“Here in Illinois, it is no secret that far too many police departments are underfunded,” he said. “Local law enforcement also has their hands tied by government regulations that limit what actions law enforcement officials can take. That being said, the obvious first step we should take is to remove the shackles placed on law enforcement and give them the resources they need to meet this fight head-on.” 

Howell also emphasized the role of education and community involvement in combating the crisis. 

“Meanwhile, at the home level, parents need to be educating their children on just how serious and dangerous these drugs are,” he said. “We should be teaching our children to be unafraid of retaliation if they witness a friend or acquaintance with any of these drugs.”

Howell’s comments come after the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Gloria Gastelum, 54, and German Vargas, 22, both from Tucson, AZ, during a traffic stop in Marengo. 

The duo was discovered transporting a staggering 120,000 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone, marking one of the largest drug seizures in the region this year.

The arrests were made following a tip from an undercover detective, who had been tracking a major drug shipment destined for the area. Deputies intercepted Gastelum and Vargas in a rental car, uncovering the illicit cargo hidden among their belongings. 

Both individuals now face serious charges, including manufacturing and delivering over 900 grams of fentanyl, as well as possession of over 200 grams.

The seizure comes only weeks after two Mexican nationals were caught in McHenry County allegedly smuggling 17 kilos of methamphetamine and fentanyl. 

Howell’s concerns have been echoed in a recent 2024 Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) report, which describes the current drug crisis as the “Deadliest Drug Crisis Ever” in America. 

The report highlights that an alarming 80% of all street-level drugs in Chicago can be traced back to the Sinaloa cartel, with fentanyl being the most severe threat. 

Mexican cartels, particularly Sinaloa and New Generation, dominate the trafficking landscape, and the rise of digital drug dealing through social media platforms has exacerbated the problem.

Critics have pointed to the Biden Administration’s “Open Border” policies as creating the conditions for cartels to thrive. 

As Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns for president, her opponent, former President Donald Trump and Republicans have shifted blame for current immigration issues onto her, accusing her of mishandling border policies. 

This pivot highlights her past criticisms of Trump's immigration practices and her role as the Biden administration's "border czar” which she has sought to distance herself from after an estimated 10.5 to 13 million undocumented aliens entered the country under her watch.