(MSC News)--Three state law enforcement agencies are joined by Homeland Security Investigations in a new collaborative initiative to combat fentanyl in Kansas.

According to a release, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Attorney General's Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the federal HSI will work together on what's being called the Joint Fentanyl Impact Team, or JFIT, whose goal it is to identify and disrupt fentanyl trafficking and distribution networks, with the team comprised of KBI special agents, KHP troopers, and HSI agents who are, the release says, “experienced in complex narcotics investigations.” Team members are embedded alongside federal, state and local law enforcement officers operating across Kansas, allowing for increased coordination of intelligence, personnel, and resources.

One component of JFIT's strategy, noted by the release, is the introduction of the KBI's new K-9 unit, comprised of four K-9 officers recently trained and certified in detecting illegal drugs, including fentanyl, through funding assistance from Midwest HIDTA and the Wichita Metro Crime Commission. Noted as being the first fentanyl-detecting K-9 officers in Kansas, they will work closely with the narcotics team to interrupt all methods of fentanyl movement into the state, including the interception of drugs coming through the mail, roadways, railways, and flown in by air.

JFIT was formed as the enforcement component of Attorney General Kris Kobach's strategy to prevent fentanyl overdose deaths.