Montana fentanyl deaths rise in 2025, while drug seizures fall AG says

HELENA, Mont. – Fentanyl seizures decreased in 2025 even as fentanyl-linked deaths continued to rise, according to the Montana Department of Justice.

Throughout 2025, 74 people died due to fentanyl-linked fatal overdoses, according to the State Crime Lab, the Department of Justice said in an announcement about the data.

The 2025 data represents 19 more fentanyl-related deaths than the year before.

The Department of Justice said 78% of those overdoses involved fentanyl mixed with another illegal drug, compared with 60% the year before.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced that fentanyl seizures decreased by 70% in 2025, from 275,091 to 83,382 fentanyl dosage units seized.

He celebrated the decrease in seizures and gave credit to President Donald Trump, while recognizing the increase in deaths and pinning the blame on former President Joe Biden.

“I am happy to report there was a huge drop in fentanyl seizures in Montana last year. It’s not a coincidence this news comes as President Trump is back in office and committed to securing the southern border,” Knudsen said.  “While this is welcomed news, at the Montana Department of Justice, we’re not slowing down our efforts to get illicit drugs out of our communities. There are still far too many overdoses, and worse, fatal overdoses because of this poison that was allowed to flow across the Mexico border unfettered for years by the Biden administration.”

Knudsen toured the state crime lab in Missoula in September 2025 and recognized the trend of lower fentanyl seizures and higher fentanyl-linked deaths.

At the time, he highlighted the correlation between Montana's growing population and the increasing demand for services, speaking about the need to help the crime lab grow its capabilities.

He also credited the Trump administration for lower fentanyl seizures, while acknowledging the need to address rising fentanyl-linked deaths.

In its March 2026 announcement, the Montana Department of Justice said cocaine seizures also decreased 51%, with 68.04 pounds seized in 2024 and 33.3 pounds seized in 2025, while methamphetamine seizures remained the same, with 304.03 pounds seized in 2024 and 304.01 pounds seized in 2025.