Prosecuting Drug Dealers and the Need for Federal Government Involvement

As part of Rep. Crenshaw’s work on the Cartel Task Force, two officers from the West Coast joined him to share their perspectives of how local police departments are combating the fentanyl epidemic brought on by the Mexican drug cartels. SGT. Aaron Schmautz serves in the Portland Police Department and Officer Brian Marvel serves in the San Diego Police Department. They discuss the unique challenges facing both cities: Portland being a case study in drug decriminalization spinning completely out of control, and San Diego bordering the major cartel hub of Tijuana. They also share insights into the business model of the cartels, how fentanyl took over the local drug markets, the potential to prosecute dealers for murder, what good treatment programs for addicts look like, and much more.

SGT. Aaron Schmautz is a 19-year veteran of the Portland Police Department. He is the President of the Oregon Coalition of Police & Sheriffs (ORCOPS), a non-partisan organization that advocates on behalf of police officers, deputy sheriffs, and others in Oregon law enforcement organizations. 

Brian Marvel is a 24-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department. He is an adjunct professor at the San Diego Regional Police Academy and President of Peace Officers Research Association.