SFPD Seizes Unprecedented Amount of Narcotics To Dismantle Tenderloin Drug Markets 23-098
San Francisco Police Department officers have seized more than 123 kilograms of narcotics, including 80 kilograms of fentanyl in the Tenderloin so far in 2023, surpassing the total amount of drugs seized in all of 2022, police Chief Bill Scott announced Friday.
The drug seizures come amid an ongoing focus by SFPD and partner agencies to dismantle the open-air drug markets in the Tenderloin District and adjacent neighborhoods.
Tenderloin Station officers have arrested 533 people for selling narcotics so far in 2023, nearly surpassing the 566 total arrests for narcotics sales in all of 2022.
“I want to thank our officers for their incredible work,” Chief Scott said. “We are committed to getting these drugs off our streets, and we are holding these dealers accountable. San Francisco should be a safe place for residents, businesses, and visitors to enjoy. Together with our partner agencies, we are making a difference in our downtown corridor.”
San Francisco Mayor London Breed has made enforcement in the Tenderloin a top priority for her administration.
“I applaud the San Francisco Police Department and all of our public safety partners for their focused work to get fentanyl and other drugs plaguing our communities off the streets,” said Mayor London Breed. “Their collaborative efforts demonstrate the City’s commitment to making the neighborhood safer for residents, families, and children who call the Tenderloin home. We will continue to build on this momentum to disrupt open-air drug markets and the sale of illegal goods to make San Francisco safe for everyone.”
Since May 30, 2023, the SFPD has worked collaboratively with other city, state, and federal partners to increase enforcement efforts in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods.
SFPD officers have been increasing patrols, buy-busts, warrant operations, and larger narcotics investigations, leading to more deadly drugs being taken off the streets amid an ongoing overdose crisis in San Francisco.
The introduction of fentanyl into the city’s drug supply has caused fatal overdoses to dramatically increase in San Francisco in recent years. The SFPD recognizes that we must take a more aggressive approach to combat the crisis and improve street conditions and public safety.
We are extremely grateful to our state and federal partners for their assistance, including the California Highway Patrol, the California Army National Guard, and the US Department of Justice. Our local partners have also been instrumental in this work, including the San Francisco Sheriff's Department, the Department of Emergency Management, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Public Health.