The U.S. Justice Department unveiled indictments against Chinese firms linked to the fentanyl crisis.
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, the Justice Department released eight sealed indictments accusing China-based enterprises and their employees of offenses related to the production and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The allegations encompass the circulation of synthetic opioids and transactions arising from the chemicals that serve as precursors to these drugs.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, "We know that the global fentanyl supply chain, which ends with the deaths of Americans, often starts with chemical companies in China." He emphasized the U.S. government's determination to dismantle each segment of this chain, purge communities of fentanyl, and prosecute those responsible for its presence.
Highlighting the international nature of the fentanyl issue, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas lauded the comprehensive governmental approach to address the crisis. He acknowledged the essential contributions of agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other federal associates in holding both Chinese entities and profit-driven cartels accountable.
Reinforcing this sentiment, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco declared, "The charges announced today are another down payment on the Justice Department's pledge to every American family that has lost a loved one to fentanyl poisoning." Monaco drew parallels to the combined efforts used to combat terrorism and cybercrime, emphasizing an integrated approach to target the global chain perpetuating the fentanyl epidemic.
Drawing attention to the gravity of the situation, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram labeled fentanyl as "the deadliest drug threat" the U.S. has ever encountered. Milgram identified Chinese chemical companies as the culprits fueling the fentanyl crisis by dispatching lethal ingredients to the U.S. and Mexico.
The indictment also spotlighted a narcotics trafficker's use of counterfeit postage, showcasing the Postal Inspection Service's unique jurisdiction, noted by Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale.
A press release provided insight into the production of these perilous drugs, revealing the starting point as raw chemicals or precursors. China-based chemical companies, many of which brazenly advertise online, are responsible for manufacturing and disseminating these precursors, opioids, and synthetic opioids worldwide, notably to the U.S. and Mexico.
To elude authorities, these firms employ tactics like using re-shippers within the U.S., adopting deceptive labels, and utilizing concealed packaging. Moreover, they often transact in cryptocurrencies to hide their identities and financial trails.
The main North American distributors of fentanyl and its analogues are the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, both based in Mexico. These powerful criminal outfits acquire fentanyl precursors from China, which they subsequently convert into finished fentanyl in concealed labs. Deceptive shipping practices, such as mislabeling and concealment, facilitate the illicit transfer of these chemicals from mainland China.
