LA County Cracks Down On Fentanyl Smuggling At Juvenile Halls

LOS ANGELES, CA — Law enforcement in Los Angeles County are ramping up efforts to crack down on the smuggling of fentanyl and other contraband into juvenile detention facilities.

County Probation Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa on Monday announced the formation of the Juvenile Safety and Welfare Task Force. Run out of the Probation Department, the task force will be staffed with members from agencies who are experts in facility security, investigations, enforcement and prosecution.

The effort will focus on trafficking of drugs into youth detention facilities and offer information to inmates, parents and caregivers about the risk of vaping, illegal drugs and contraband-related crimes.

"The opioid fentanyl epidemic has affected so many in a variety of detrimental ways, and we want to do our part as public servants to put a stop to it," Rosa said in a statement. "Through the formation of this task force, we are dedicated to ensuring that those who contribute to the distribution of illegal substances to our youth within the detention facilities are held accountable."

A state inspection recently found shortcomings in safety standards at two Los Angeles County youth detention facilities: the newly reopened Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey and the Barry J. Nidorf Secure Youth Treatment Facility in Sylmar.

City News Service contributed to this report.