DEA and Fort Wayne Police Gain Upper Hand on Fentanyl Epidemic

Collaboration between federal and local law enforcement leads to 40% decrease in overdose deaths nationwide.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Federal and local law enforcement officials in Indiana say their collaborative efforts are making progress in the fight against the opioid crisis, with a 40% decrease in overdose deaths nationwide over the last four years and a drop in the purity of fentanyl being seized. The Drug Enforcement Administration's Fentanyl Free America Campaign and partnerships with local police departments like the Fort Wayne Police Department are credited with these improvements.

Why it matters

The opioid epidemic has devastated communities across the country, with fentanyl-related overdoses being a major driver of the crisis. The progress reported by law enforcement officials in Indiana suggests that coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local agencies can have a meaningful impact in reducing overdoses and disrupting the supply of illicit drugs.

The details

According to Chip Cooke, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the DEA's Merrillville District, the purity of fentanyl being seized has decreased from an average of 20% to 10%. Fort Wayne Police Vice and Narcotics Sgt. Mark Gerardot cited advances in technology, changes in policing tactics, and the availability of Narcan as reasons why overdose deaths have been declining in the area. The collaboration between local and federal law enforcement has also allowed them to more effectively pursue investigations that cross state lines.

  • Over the last four years, overdose deaths nationwide have decreased by 40%.

The players

Chip Cooke

Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the DEA's Merrillville District.

Mark Gerardot

Fort Wayne Police Vice and Narcotics Sgt.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

A federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States.

Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD)

The police department for the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“There are a lot of eyes and ears on the law enforcement side out there, who are sharing information with each other. This is not a good place to be a drug dealer.”

— Chip Cooke, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the DEA's Merrillville District (wane.com)

“I don't know that we're ever going to get rid of drugs, but we're winning a lot of battles that we weren't winning before.”

— Mark Gerardot, Fort Wayne Police Vice and Narcotics Sgt. (wane.com)

“When we pair with federal law enforcement agencies, we can go anywhere to get them back here to face charges. You can't just come deal drugs in Fort Wayne and go somewhere else and be like, 'I'm out of state. They can't touch me.' But we can still touch you.”

— Mark Gerardot, Fort Wayne Police Vice and Narcotics Sgt. (wane.com)

What’s next

The DEA's Fentanyl Free America Campaign will continue to focus on protecting communities, preventing addiction, and providing resources to those impacted by drug use, with an emphasis on keeping opioids out of the hands of minors and young adults.

The takeaway

The collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies in Indiana has led to significant progress in the fight against the opioid crisis, demonstrating that a coordinated, multi-pronged approach can be effective in reducing overdoses and disrupting the supply of illicit drugs. However, the battle is far from over, and continued vigilance and cooperation will be necessary to fully address this ongoing public health emergency.