Terrorism & Homegrown Violent Extremists (HVEs) Threat • The terrorism threat has evolved from one defined by complex, large-scale attacks directed by foreign terrorist groups to mostly self-initiated attacks by homegrown violent extremists (HVEs) using relatively simple tactics. • Since 9/11, there have been 28 Sunni violent extremist attacks in the United States—including here in California—yet only three were directed by a foreign terrorist organization, underscoring that these groups continue to be able to target and radicalize vulnerable members in our own communities. • Just last month, a California individual was indicted on terrorism charges. He allegedly said he wanted kill thousands of people by blowing up gay night clubs in San Francisco, planting backpack bombs on UC Berkeley’s campus, setting fires to the Berkeley Hills, and selling drugs laced with rat poison. • Groups like ISIS continue to use social media and online platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter to post terrorist propaganda to project their radical narratives for Western audiences. • These groups also use encrypted messaging applications to skirt intelligence and law enforcement monitoring efforts, and to disseminate English-language propaganda and tactical directions for choosing targets and carrying out attacks. • A few weeks ago, an al-Qa’ida group released a new edition of its English-language magazine that focuses on rail-based transportation attacks in the United States, specifically naming railways running through California as potential targets for an attack. • We have seen violent actors use the tactics in these magazines in numerous attacks in the United States and Europe throughout the last several years. Our California fusion centers are regularly working with our federal intelligence community and law enforcement partners to review these materials and alert public safety officials statewide to stay ahead of these threats. Domestic Terrorism Threat • While the HVE threat remains a top priority for our intelligence and law enforcement communities, we must not lose sight of the heightened threat posed by violent domestic terrorism extremists, as was unfortunately illustrated in the recent tragic attack that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia. • The current political climate has brought many violent extremists out to participate in, co-opt, and counter-protest at politically-motivated rallies throughout the United States. • There have been at least five violent clashes between anti-fascist and white supremacist extremists at rallies in California throughout the last 17 months, leading to multiple stabbings and other serious injuries. Our public safety and law enforcement officials remained concerned for the safety of peaceful protesters and our public safety community during several upcoming political rallies in California. • Lone actors and small cells within the white supremacist extremist movement are likely to continue to pose a threat of lethal violence throughout at least the rest of this year. The often spontaneous and opportunistic nature of these particular acts of violence challenges prevention efforts. • The threats posed by domestic and international terrorist actors remain persistent, yet they continue to evolve over time. I encourage all of our law enforcement partners to continue building relationships with partners and stakeholders by working together and sharing information. • We must ensure that we continue to educate ourselves, which includes ensuring law enforcement officers are provided with the resources and training they need as the first line of defense to identify and stop individuals or groups mobilizing toward violence in the Homeland. Fentanyl & Border Threat • Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are increasingly being found at our communities and borders – there have been 87 reported seizures of fentanyl in California in 2017 so far, which is double the number of fentanyl-related incidents for the State in all of last year. • Criminal groups and individuals are recognizing the profit potential of fentanyl. An amount equal to a few grains of salt can be fatal, and because of this potency, illicit drug manufacturers are using it to substitute and mix with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and even marijuana. A single illicit pill manufactured with 1 milligram of fentanyl and sold for $20 a pill can net a 4,00010,000 percent profit range. • Just last week, the Mexican army seized 140 pounds of fentanyl from a reportedly Tijuanadestined truck at a highway checkpoint just across the border from Yuma, Arizona. • The risk of interdicting fentanyl is real for our law enforcement and first responders: fentanyl exposure can occur from breathing it in or absorption in the skin. Earlier this month, 18 Pittsburgh police officers were hospitalized after being exposed during a raid. Even law enforcement officers responding to overdose calls can be exposed, as was the case earlier this month to officers in Massachusetts and Virginia. • All public safety and law enforcement officers need to take precautions to protect yourself and your personnel. This means avoiding field testing of these drugs if possible—this is best left to lab technicians and those with full personal protective equipment. You are all extremely valuable to the California community – please take the extra steps to ensure this potent drug does not claim you or your officers as the next victim.