In the United States, the number of federal drug cases in 2025 will reach its lowest level in decades. Reuters calculated, based on nearly two million court records, that the number of new charges has fallen by approximately 10% compared to last year.
Drug Cases Decline: Focus Shifts to Deportations
Experts attribute this to a shift in priorities. After Donald Trump’s return to the White House, a significant portion of law enforcement agencies were refocused on combating illegal immigration. Thousands of agents were transferred to raids and deportation escorts. As a result, long-term investigations into drug cartels and large networks have effectively stalled.
What the Numbers Show
There are 1,200 fewer drug cases than in 2024.
- The number of money laundering charges has fallen by almost a quarter.
- Cases of conspiracy to distribute drugs have fallen by 15%.
- Gun and drug-related charges have also declined.
Reaction within the system
Justice Department officials interviewed by reporters acknowledge that agents are increasingly being diverted from core investigations to participate in immigration operations. One prosecutor said the fentanyl case he was working on was put on hold after key agents were called away for deportation raids.
According to former DEA and ATF officials, in several cases, subordinates complained that they were forced to detain people with no criminal record rather than investigate complex drug trafficking cases.
The Administration’s Position
The White House claims that Trump’s policies are producing results: “There are fewer drugs in street communities because we’re removing illegal immigrants and shutting down the cartel’s routes,” the administration’s press secretary emphasized. The Justice Department added that judging the agency’s performance by the number of cases is incorrect: fighting organized crime takes time.
Despite the decline in criminal cases, the volume of drugs seized at the border has increased by approximately 6% since the beginning of the year. However, experts warn that diverting resources to deportations could have long-term consequences—many “frozen” cases will never reach trial.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he would deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, to guard federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) buildings from what he called “domestic terrorists.” According to his statement, the military has been given authority to use any force deemed necessary.
