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Subcommittee flags fentanyl, human-trafficking and drone security threats; plans bill concepts for foreign influence and drone risk
Summary
Representative Brock reported that subcommittee hearings covered border and customs vulnerabilities, fentanyl trafficking and pill-press use, human- and labor-trafficking patterns in Michigan, and cybersecurity concerns about drones manufactured overseas with alleged backdoors; the subcommittee is vetting policy concepts.
Representative Brock, chair of the Homeland Security and Foreign Influence subcommittee, told the Oversight Committee that his panel has held multiple hearings on border security, drug trafficking (notably fentanyl and pill presses), human trafficking (including labor trafficking), and drone and cyber vulnerabilities.
Brock said witnesses including sheriffs and public-health officials described an increase in fentanyl-related overdoses and the prevalence of fentanyl-laced pills; he cited testimony that synthetic-opioid overdoses rose from 39% to 72% of overdoses in 2023 and that many ecstasy pills are laced with fentanyl. Local sheriffs said pill presses and foreign-sourced precursors are driving illicit production.
On human trafficking, Brock said Michigan’s profile includes a substantial share of labor trafficking affecting predominantly male victims; task forces and law enforcement described activity around large events and agricultural labor exploitation.
The subcommittee devoted several sessions to drones and cybersecurity, including a drone flyover demonstration and discussion that most commercial drones used in the U.S. are manufactured overseas (testimony cited DJI as a dominant manufacturer) and that some drone models have backdoors accessible from overseas. Brock said the subcommittee is vetting legislative concepts and possible technical measures to detect or mitigate nefarious drone use and protect critical infrastructure, and he described outreach to federal, state and private partners.
Brock said the subcommittee will continue to refine policy packages addressing foreign influence, drug interdiction tools, human-trafficking enforcement, and counter-drone options.
