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(Iowa) -- Seizures of fentanyl powder have skyrocketed in Iowa.
The Drug Enforcement Administration says that in 2025, agents pulled 443,000 potentially deadly doses of the drug off Iowa streets. That includes 12,000 pills and 13 pounds of fentanyl powder.
Another major concern for Iowa is methamphetamine.
“Methamphetamine, particularly in Iowa, is responsible for more drug overdose deaths than fentanyl, so it has to be part of the conversation. It’s important to talk about fentanyl because it’s the most deadly drug we’ve ever faced in the state of Iowa, across the Midwest, and across our whole country,” said Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie with the DEA.
Last year, the DEA reported a 500% increase in fentanyl powder seizures.
“Fentanyl has permeated every community across the entire state of Iowa, even rural and agricultural communities. Fentanyl is in our rural schools, in our shopping malls, and in every parking lot,” Gillespie said.
CDC data shows more than 70,000 Americans died of fentanyl overdoses in the 12‑month period ending last August.