SEATTLE – As the United States prepares to host millions of international visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is committed to ensuring the safety of fans, teams, and communities during this historic, global sporting event. 

DEA is focused on keeping visitors and communities safe on and off the field, as the U.S. continues to confront the deadly synthetic opioid crisis. Significant progress has been made in the fight against fentanyl; however, fentanyl is still involved in approximately 200 deaths every day and remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged ages 18-to-44 years old. 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid often mixed with other illicit substances, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, or pressed into counterfeit pills made to look like legitimate medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, Adderall, and Xanax. When mixed or pressed into pills, fentanyl is nearly impossible to detect – you cannot see, smell, or taste it. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl – small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil – can be deadly, and many people don’t know they’ve ingested it until it is too late. 

The illicit drug supply is becoming increasingly more unpredictable and lethal, as indicated in a Public Safety Advisory issued by DEA last month. Fentanyl is now being combined with a dangerous array of synthetic substances including xylazine, nitazenes, cychlorphine, and medetomidine, which are often undetectable and not approved for human consumption.     

Counterfeit pills may appear legitimate, but when purchased online or from an unlicensed source they are likely to contain fentanyl. The only safe medications are those obtained from a pharmacy and used as directed under the supervision of a licensed medical professional. 

Your safety is our goal.  Throughout FIFA World Cup 2026 ™ host cities, fans will see DEA’s One Pill Can Kill Campaign, which aims to draw awareness about the dangerous, deadly, and deceptive illicit drug supply. The campaign encourages people to stay vigilant, only take medications from trusted and licensed pharmacists, and understand the risks associated with illicit drugs.

Public Safety Guidance for Fans and Visitors:

• Never take a pill that wasn’t prescribed to you and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
• Assume all illicit drugs may contain fentanyl or other deadly additives.
• Carry naloxone and be trained in how to use it but understand it may not fully reverse all substances present.
• Call 911 immediately in any suspected drug poisoning or overdose. Time is critical.
• Stay informed and spread awareness. This threat is evolving rapidly.

DEA has a robust prevention and awareness program aimed at educating communities about the risks associated with illicit substances. The One Pill Can Kill Campaign and Fentanyl Free America initiative were created to protect both visitors and communities from the dangers of fentanyl. Public awareness and prevention are critical to saving lives – one pill, one time can kill. 

The DEA Seattle Field Division is spreading fentanyl awareness through a new billboard campaign- Your Safety is OUR GOAL (photo attached), a Public Service Announcement ( https://youtu.be/xLAGLUVa-hU?si=gn6PZqwMVo-mi6RU) , as well as a new truck seized from a drug trafficker that is now wrapped with DEA's Fentanyl Free America to take to FIFA World Cup 2026 ™ events (photo attached).

DEA’s free outreach and awareness resources are available at FIFA 2026 | DEA.gov.  As we welcome the world to the U.S., your safety remains our number one goal.

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PORTLAND, Ore. – Statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington, and many local regions have additional restrictions in place. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of all active restrictions and closures as warmer weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest.

“Every visitor to public lands can take additional precautions to lower the risk of starting a fire,” said Kim Prill, BLM Oregon/Washington Acting State Director. “Just one spark can start a wildfire.”

Visitors should research their destinations in advance, as restrictions vary by location and jurisdiction. The use of fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns remain prohibited.

“Preventing human caused fires is one of the best ways we can all work together to keep our firefighters and our communities safe,” added Josh O’Connor, Northwest Geographic Area Fire Chief for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.

Many local restrictions address questions of when visitors can use power tools, what kinds of stoves or campfires are allowed, and what type of safety equipment to have on hand.

Vehicle Maintenance and Parking Safety
As roadside brush dries out, vehicles become a primary source of accidental ignitions. Drivers are urged to properly maintain their vehicles and avoid parking or idling on tall, dry grass. Even without a spark, the intense heat from a vehicle's exhaust system or catalytic converter can ignite vegetation beneath the car in a matter of seconds. Motorists should stick to established roads, gravel turnouts, or cleared parking areas.

Safe Towing and Equipment Practices
Towing trailers or driving recreational vehicles requires extra vigilance during fire season. Motorists must ensure that tow chains are properly secured and not dragging on the pavement. Loose metal links striking the highway create a continuous stream of sparks that can easily ignite the roadside. Additionally, all off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and portable generators operated on public lands should be equipped with a properly functioning spark arrestor to stop hot embers from escaping.

For more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire.

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service conducts operations in close coordination with the Bureau of Land Management. As a unified federal entity under the Department of the Interior, the USWFS integrates expertise to streamline wildfire prevention, response and recovery under our shared mission to foster fire-resilient landscapes and safeguard communities across America’s public lands.

Spokane, WA – On May 28, 2026, a jury of twelve people from across the Eastern District of Washington convicted Defendants Jac Archer, Justice Forral, and Bajun Mavalwalla II of violating federal law by conspiring to impede law enforcement officers or injure property used in the execution of their duties.  After 8 days of trial and over a day of deliberations, the jury found Defendants guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, of the crime. Sentencing has not yet been set by United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell, who oversaw the trial.

In the summer of 2025, a federal Grand Jury made up of different members of this community returned an Indictment charging Archer, Forral, and Mavalwalla, along with six other Defendants with Conspiracy to Injure or Impede Officers of the United States. The charges arose from an event at an ICE facility in Spokane in June 2025.  That day, defendants and others prevented law enforcement officers from engaging in their official duties of transporting individuals from a detention facility in Spokane to a detention facility and the immigration court near Tacoma.  For more than nine hours that officers were denied the ability to transport the detainees. The charged defendants and uncharged co-conspirators destroyed property, blocked exits to prevent officers from safely leaving with the detainees. Several officers testified during the trial that they feared for their safety because of the actions taken by the defendants and other co-conspirators.

After the Grand Jury returned its Indictment, nearly a year of extensive litigation took place, with each defendant retaining or being appointed highly-experienced criminal defense counsel. The defense lawyers in this case ranged from the two leaders of the Federal Defender’s office and two former federal prosecutors, to multiple attorneys from a well-respected private law firm in Spokane.  Those six attorneys, engaged in extensive pre-trial motion practice. Judge Pennel presided over several hearings, denying motions to dismiss and presiding over the scope and admissibility of evidence.  The other six Defendants pleaded guilty during this time, leaving three at trial. 

Those Defendants along with their six defense counsel and two Assistant United States Attorneys, selected the jury.  The jury selection process took over a day to allow the parties and the Court, to extensively examine the potential jurors to ensure a fair and impartial jury was impaneled. 

Throughout the trial, there were ongoing motions and evidentiary rulings which included the exclusion of additional evidence. Much of the Defendants’ conduct on June 11, 2025, was recorded on video.  The United States called numerous witnesses.  Two of the Defendants exercised their constitutional right to testify while the other exercised the constitutional right not to testify.  Defense called additional witnesses and the case rested on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.  For over a day, 12 jurors deliberated over the evidence admitted.  On Thursday May 28, 2026, the jury unanimously found each Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the charged offense.

“The United States Attorney’s Office has been encouraged to see so many members of the community engaged with this case.  We look forward to the same level of public interest in all of our criminal cases against defendants charged with domestic violence and rape of children in Indian Country, human trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, violent felons with illegal arsenals, and the exploitation of children as young as infants and toddlers,” said Pete Serrano, First Assistant United States Attorney.  “As our office has said from the beginning, everyone in this free country has the right to make their voices heard, and we encourage the exercise of that right.  But no one has the right to cross the line into lawbreaking.  We presented facts and evidence to a grand jury, made up of citizens from this district who found probable cause that crimes were committed.  Upon being charged, these defendants were afforded their rights and represented by counsel throughout the process.  For 250 years in this country, we have turned to juries to resolve those disagreements.  Here, twelve individuals from across our community heard 8 days of evidence and concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that these three defendants committed the crime as charged, that they agreed to impede law enforcement officers and injure their property as they did their jobs.” 

Mr. Serrano continued: “Just because the jury did not find in a way that some people wanted, does not negate the fact that a crime occurred.  Our office’s sole motivation for the charging and prosecution of these individuals was to hold them accountable to the law as each attorney in this office has sworn an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution.  This case was brought by my office, was agreed upon by the grand jury, and concluded with a multi-day trial by jury because the alleged crimes were committed.  Statements made by current or former public officials who never set foot in the courtroom during the trial bear no relevance to these facts or the outcome of this case.  There is no better system in the world for resolving conflicts than the jury system enshrined in our Constitution, and we should all cherish this right whether we agree with outcomes produced by our system.  Had the jury’s verdict gone another way, the United States Attorney’s Office would be issuing this same statement today: the jury has rendered its verdict, let us all respect it.”

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