President Trump Signs Interdict Act Targeting Drug Trafficking

WASHINGTON, DC — President Trump signed the Interdict Act, which targets the flow of illicit drugs, at an unannounced ceremony Wednesday evening. The signing had not initially been included on the White House schedule.

The law is a small part of the effort to reduce importation of drugs, specifically fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. It appropriates about $9 million for these efforts, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Under the act, Customs and Border Protection will be funded to get new chemical screening devices that are designed to detect synthetic opioids at airports and other points of entry to the country. It will also pay for the staff to operate this equipment and to interpret data.

With its $9 million price tag, the CBO said the bill will not have much of an impact on the budget.

The bill was originally presented to the president on Dec. 29 of 2017. It passed with overwhelming support in the House and Senate.

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