The Central Washington Fentanyl Task Force has released a report indicating that 97% of fentanyl and related substances originate in China, supported by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The findings were shared on October 30.
According to the Task Force, fentanyl is a leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45. The crisis is attributed to the illegal production and distribution of fentanyl and its precursors by transnational criminal organizations in China and Mexico. These substances are trafficked through unsecured borders, international mail, and express consignment operations. The Task Force reported that enough fentanyl was seized in 2023 to potentially kill every American multiple times. They noted that the decreasing cost of fentanyl makes it more accessible, contributing to a rise in overdoses.
The report states that 97% of fentanyl, related substances, and their precursors originate from China and companies supported by the CCP. It found that the CCP actively subsidizes and invests in chemical manufacturers while failing to prosecute them or enforce laws. "Essentially, China is conducting forms of legal and illegal statecraft to unleash all-out drug warfare in a non-covert effort to weaken their opponents and overthrow the democratic system," the report said.
According to the Task Force, Mexican transnational criminal organizations, specifically the Sinaloa and New Generation Jalisco cartels, are primary distributors of fentanyl after it enters the U.S. These cartels utilize unsecured borders, international mail systems, and express consignment operations for distribution throughout the country. The Northern Border with Canada serves as another entry point for these substances.
Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) launched the Central Washington Fentanyl Task Force in 2023 to combat what he describes as an "escalating crisis" of fentanyl. His website states: "As a working group of individuals fighting fentanyl on the front lines in every sector, the taskforce executes well-informed initiatives aimed at reducing the threat fentanyl poses to our communities."
