Trending...
- City of Long Beach Advises Registered Voters of Statewide Special Election This November - 499
- California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 8.28.25
- David Oberman Debuts "Americana From Alabama" Project With The Release Of Two New Songs
News
Sep 5, 2025
CalGuard's Counterdrug Task Force back to full strength, seizes $3.3 million in illicit fentanyl
What you need to know: The California National Guard has helped seize $3.3 million in illicit fentanyl in July, $1 million more than the previous month. In total, servicemembers have removed $482 million in illegal fentanyl from our streets since 2021.
Sacramento, California – California National Guard's specialized narcotics teams are back to full strength after many servicemembers were pulled off their assignments by President Trump to deploy to Los Angeles unnecessarily, and have helped seize 435 pounds of illicit fentanyl worth $3.3 million in July since returning to the state's command. In June, the California National Guard assisted in removing $2.2 million in fentanyl out of our communities.
We are glad to have the Counterdrug Task Force operating back at full capacity. The work they do is invaluable to ensure the public safety of our neighborhoods across the state.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Since they started drug interdiction efforts in 2021, they have helped seize nearly 33,030 pounds of fentanyl and more than 50 million pills containing fentanyl, with a street value of more than $482 million.
So far this year, servicemembers, along with partner agencies, have helped seize 3,128 pounds of fentanyl and nearly 1.7 million pills for an estimated value of nearly $26 million.
There are nearly 450 servicemembers deployed statewide, including at ports of entry, to combat transnational criminal organizations and seize illegal narcotics. As soldiers get back to work, it's important to remember that an estimated 32% of CalGuard's servicemembers dedicated to the Counterdrug Task Force were reassigned by the President to unlawfully militarize Los Angeles.
Fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the country by U.S. citizens through ports of entry. Within the last year, Governor Newsom announced continued augmentation in staffing and enforcement of CalGuard's illicit fentanyl operations.
Trump's illegal deployment of soldiers to Los Angeles
There are 300 soldiers still unlawfully deployed to Los Angeles under federal command who will be there through Election Day. That's a waste of our troops' sacrifice and taxpayer funds. Governor Newsom provided the estimated costs of the illegal National Guard deployment in Los Angeles – nearly $120 million, so far.
The Title 10 deployment of more than 4,200 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines cost $71 million for food and other basic necessities, $37 million in payroll, more than $4 million in logistics supplies, $3.5 million in travel, and $1.5 million in demobilization costs, which adds up to an estimated $118 million.
More on The Californer
In August, Governor Newsom's office filed a federal Freedom of Information Act requesting all documents and records to identify the total expenses incurred to activate the U.S. Marines and federalize the National Guard since June 7. While the federal government has not yet provided records in response to this request, the California National Guard developed the calculations at the request of the Governor.
Breaking down the cost
The entire deployment process was rushed, soldiers early on were forced to sleep on the floors and in the open air, use facilities with no functioning plumbing and were often fighting boredom.
While less than 20% of the troops deployed to Los Angeles were actually utilized, soldiers were pulled away from their essential civilian duties as first responders, police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses and teachers. Guardsmembers were taken off of specialized assignments – like in California where they were taken off Taskforce Rattlesnake firefighting teams and the Counterdrug Task Force work at ports of entry along the border.
All of this combined with reports of low morale.
Taking the Trump Administration to court
And earlier this week, the Governor asked a federal court to bring that deployment to an end by filing a request for a preliminary injunction to block the Trump Administration's order to extend the National Guard's deployment in Los Angeles through Election Day.
On that same day, a federal court granted California's injunction blocking Trump's illegal use of the U.S. military as a domestic police force. The ruling makes clear: Trump is breaking the law by trying to create a national police force with himself as its chief.
More on The Californer
How we got here
On June 10, 2025, following President Trump's doubling down on the militarization of the Los Angeles area through the takeover of more than 4,000 California National Guard soldiers and the unlawful deployment of the U.S. Marines, Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta filed an emergency request for the court to block President Trump and the Department of Defense from expanding the current mission of federalized Cal Guard personnel and Marines. This mission orders soldiers to engage in unlawful civilian law enforcement activities in communities across the region, beyond just guarding federal buildings.
Press releases, Public safety, Recent news
Recent news
Governor Newsom announces Norwalk to overturn illegal homeless shelter ban as part of settlement
Sep 5, 2025
News Lawsuit settlement also requires city to create affordable housing trust fund and undergo ongoing state monitoring What you need to know: Norwalk today has agreed to a settlement with California after the city violated state law by banning new homeless shelters...
Hawaii to join West Coast Health Alliance with California, Oregon, and Washington
Sep 4, 2025
News What you need to know: The state of Hawaii is joining California, Oregon, and Washington in the West Coast Health Alliance, which is providing unified recommendations on immunizations to residents based on science, not politics. SACRAMENTO – Roughly 24 hours...
What they are saying: Leaders throughout the state are applauding Governor Newsom's ongoing strategies to reduce homelessness (https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/09/04/what-they-are-saying-leaders-throughout-the-state-are-applauding-governor-newsoms-ongoing-strategies-to-reduce-homelessness/)
Sep 4, 2025
News What you need to know: State and local leaders throughout California are applauding Governor Newsom's announcement of a new statewide task force to aggressively prioritize and deploy California's comprehensive network of services to quickly remove encampments on...
Sep 5, 2025
CalGuard's Counterdrug Task Force back to full strength, seizes $3.3 million in illicit fentanyl
What you need to know: The California National Guard has helped seize $3.3 million in illicit fentanyl in July, $1 million more than the previous month. In total, servicemembers have removed $482 million in illegal fentanyl from our streets since 2021.
Sacramento, California – California National Guard's specialized narcotics teams are back to full strength after many servicemembers were pulled off their assignments by President Trump to deploy to Los Angeles unnecessarily, and have helped seize 435 pounds of illicit fentanyl worth $3.3 million in July since returning to the state's command. In June, the California National Guard assisted in removing $2.2 million in fentanyl out of our communities.
We are glad to have the Counterdrug Task Force operating back at full capacity. The work they do is invaluable to ensure the public safety of our neighborhoods across the state.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Since they started drug interdiction efforts in 2021, they have helped seize nearly 33,030 pounds of fentanyl and more than 50 million pills containing fentanyl, with a street value of more than $482 million.
So far this year, servicemembers, along with partner agencies, have helped seize 3,128 pounds of fentanyl and nearly 1.7 million pills for an estimated value of nearly $26 million.
There are nearly 450 servicemembers deployed statewide, including at ports of entry, to combat transnational criminal organizations and seize illegal narcotics. As soldiers get back to work, it's important to remember that an estimated 32% of CalGuard's servicemembers dedicated to the Counterdrug Task Force were reassigned by the President to unlawfully militarize Los Angeles.
Fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the country by U.S. citizens through ports of entry. Within the last year, Governor Newsom announced continued augmentation in staffing and enforcement of CalGuard's illicit fentanyl operations.
Trump's illegal deployment of soldiers to Los Angeles
There are 300 soldiers still unlawfully deployed to Los Angeles under federal command who will be there through Election Day. That's a waste of our troops' sacrifice and taxpayer funds. Governor Newsom provided the estimated costs of the illegal National Guard deployment in Los Angeles – nearly $120 million, so far.
The Title 10 deployment of more than 4,200 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines cost $71 million for food and other basic necessities, $37 million in payroll, more than $4 million in logistics supplies, $3.5 million in travel, and $1.5 million in demobilization costs, which adds up to an estimated $118 million.
More on The Californer
- As Trump administration retreats, California joins forces with Northwest Wildland Fire Fighting Compact
- Hazel-E's Girl Code Inc. Hosts Exclusive Women-Centered Pop-Up Gifting Suite During Emmys Week
- City of Long Beach Awards $220,000 to Level Up Small Businesses
- ASN Software Recognized as a Top Dealership Tech Solution for 2025
- California: Governor Newsom announces Norwalk to overturn illegal homeless shelter ban as part of settlement
In August, Governor Newsom's office filed a federal Freedom of Information Act requesting all documents and records to identify the total expenses incurred to activate the U.S. Marines and federalize the National Guard since June 7. While the federal government has not yet provided records in response to this request, the California National Guard developed the calculations at the request of the Governor.
Breaking down the cost
The entire deployment process was rushed, soldiers early on were forced to sleep on the floors and in the open air, use facilities with no functioning plumbing and were often fighting boredom.
While less than 20% of the troops deployed to Los Angeles were actually utilized, soldiers were pulled away from their essential civilian duties as first responders, police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses and teachers. Guardsmembers were taken off of specialized assignments – like in California where they were taken off Taskforce Rattlesnake firefighting teams and the Counterdrug Task Force work at ports of entry along the border.
All of this combined with reports of low morale.
Taking the Trump Administration to court
And earlier this week, the Governor asked a federal court to bring that deployment to an end by filing a request for a preliminary injunction to block the Trump Administration's order to extend the National Guard's deployment in Los Angeles through Election Day.
On that same day, a federal court granted California's injunction blocking Trump's illegal use of the U.S. military as a domestic police force. The ruling makes clear: Trump is breaking the law by trying to create a national police force with himself as its chief.
More on The Californer
- New West Symphony Invites Local Residents to "Adopt-A-Musician"
- Phox Health Completes 61-Minute Pharmacy-to-Patient Air Delivery Across Washington
- Wise Business Plans Expands Business Plan Writing Service in San Francisco to Support Entrepreneurs
- Dental Arts of Oklahoma Unveils New Unified Website
- Ollyball Launches Exclusive Full-Force Indoor Sports Line Nationwide at DICK'S Sporting Goods This Fall
How we got here
On June 10, 2025, following President Trump's doubling down on the militarization of the Los Angeles area through the takeover of more than 4,000 California National Guard soldiers and the unlawful deployment of the U.S. Marines, Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta filed an emergency request for the court to block President Trump and the Department of Defense from expanding the current mission of federalized Cal Guard personnel and Marines. This mission orders soldiers to engage in unlawful civilian law enforcement activities in communities across the region, beyond just guarding federal buildings.
Press releases, Public safety, Recent news
Recent news
Governor Newsom announces Norwalk to overturn illegal homeless shelter ban as part of settlement
Sep 5, 2025
News Lawsuit settlement also requires city to create affordable housing trust fund and undergo ongoing state monitoring What you need to know: Norwalk today has agreed to a settlement with California after the city violated state law by banning new homeless shelters...
Hawaii to join West Coast Health Alliance with California, Oregon, and Washington
Sep 4, 2025
News What you need to know: The state of Hawaii is joining California, Oregon, and Washington in the West Coast Health Alliance, which is providing unified recommendations on immunizations to residents based on science, not politics. SACRAMENTO – Roughly 24 hours...
What they are saying: Leaders throughout the state are applauding Governor Newsom's ongoing strategies to reduce homelessness (https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/09/04/what-they-are-saying-leaders-throughout-the-state-are-applauding-governor-newsoms-ongoing-strategies-to-reduce-homelessness/)
Sep 4, 2025
News What you need to know: State and local leaders throughout California are applauding Governor Newsom's announcement of a new statewide task force to aggressively prioritize and deploy California's comprehensive network of services to quickly remove encampments on...
0 Comments
Latest on The Californer
- Thinkware Launches All-new Thinkware Connected App
- AutoMobility LA Expands Fleet Innovation Showcase for 2025
- Charleston Hospitality Brings to Light the Advantage of Giving Back as a Growth Strategy
- Intercontinental Real Estate Corp/LaTerra Acquire Santa Clarita, CA Self-Storage Facility for $27 MM
- N/UM Gourmet Salts Launch in Erewhon
- Governor Newsom's Clean California effort reaches major milestone: 3 million+ cubic yards of litter removed, 600+ public art projects installed
- American Friends Service Committee Retains MaGO PR as Agency of Record for First-Ever Hispanic Celebrity PR Campaign: "Immigrants Make Our Communit
- $1.3 Billion Jackpot Fever Highlights Company Reentry to U.S. Lottery Market With Attractive New Rewards Program for AI Powered Entertainment Leader
- First American Geisha vs. Tech Titan: Sprawling & Dunca End Common-Law Marriage in $30M Suit
- Smarter Smiles: Pediatric Orthodontist in San Jose, CA Helping Kids Shine Brighter
- Santa Clara Families Choose Trusted Pediatric Orthodontist for Brighter, Straighter Smiles
- Revenue Optics Expands Leadership Team with Appointment of Pamela Sims as Strategic Marketing Advisor
- "Hustler's Girl Remix" Delivers a Soulful Wake-Up Call to Hustlers Neglecting Love"
- J3 Revenue Cycle Management Launches ForwardEHR Revolutionize Medical Practice Management through AI
- Best LVN Job Platform in Los Angeles CA
- Zero Gravity Lifts Off on Documentary Showcase
- Boston Industrial Solutions Strengthens Leadership in Silicone Printing with Natron® and New Brands: SilTex® and Citrine®
- California, Oregón y Washington lanzarán una nueva Alianza de la Costa Oeste para defender la integridad científica en la salud pública mientras Trump destruye la credibilidad del CDC
- Long Beach Offering Free Workshops to Make Businesses Accessible to All
- 0% Credit Card Processing Advantages