Guatemalan accused of importing fentanyl precursors for Mexican cartel arrested
10 months ago

Guatemalan accused of importing fentanyl precursors for Mexican cartel arrested

Associated Press  

TAPACHULA, Mexico — Mexican authorities have detained a Guatemalan man wanted by the United States for allegedly participating in the importation of precursor chemicals used by the Sinaloa cartel to make fentanyl, officials said Monday. Immigration authorities stopped Jason Antonio Yang López at the airport in Tapachula on Sunday and turned him over to agents from the Chiapas state prosecutor’s office, according to two officials in the prosecutor’s office who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case. In January 2023, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Yang López “for aiding in the procurement and importation of fentanyl precursor chemicals into Mexico for manufacturing, with the final product arriving in the United States.” The sanction blocked any property and assets Yang López had in the United States. Mexico and China are the primary source countries for fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the U.S., the Drug Enforcement Administration says.

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History of this topic

Mexico makes record fentanyl bust days after Trump tariff threat
Trending News
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Mexico makes record fentanyl bust days after Trump tariff threat

CNN  

CNN — Mexican authorities have announced what they say is the largest fentanyl bust in the country’s history, with over a ton of the synthetic opioid seized in two raids in the cartel-ridden northern state of Sinaloa. “It is the largest seizure of fentanyl pills that has ever been made,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday morning during her daily …

Mexico makes record fentanyl bust days after Trump tariff threat
Trending News
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Mexico makes record fentanyl bust days after Trump tariff threat

CNN  

CNN — Mexican authorities have announced what they say is the largest fentanyl bust in the country’s history, with over a ton of the synthetic opioid seized in two raids in the cartel-ridden northern state of Sinaloa. “It is the largest seizure of fentanyl pills that has ever been made,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday morning during her daily …

Chinese chemical manufacturer is targeted by federal prosecutors trying to stop flow of fentanyl
2 months, 1 week ago

Chinese chemical manufacturer is targeted by federal prosecutors trying to stop flow of fentanyl

LA Times  

Before harmful and deadly drugs such as fentanyl and xylazine reach the streets of cities such as Los Angeles, they must first make their way into the country. “These chemical companies ship fentanyl precursors and adulterants around the world, including to the United States and Mexico, where drug cartels and traffickers use the precursors to synthesize and manufacture fentanyl into …

What's the fallout of Mexican drug lords' capture?
4 months, 3 weeks ago

What's the fallout of Mexican drug lords' capture?

India Today  

Sinaloa drug cartel were arrested by US agents in Texas during a dramatic operation and without the involvment of Mexican authorities. Impact on Sinaloa cartel US Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram said Zambada's arrest "strikes at the heart of the cartel that is responsible for the majority of drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, killing Americans from coast to coast." …

In Atlanta to promote fentanyl actions, Yellen announces sanctions against Mexican cartel
6 months ago

In Atlanta to promote fentanyl actions, Yellen announces sanctions against Mexican cartel

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — In Atlanta to promote the Biden administration’s efforts to quell the import of illegal drugs into the U.S., Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced new sanctions against members of a Mexican drug cartel accused of trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, meth and migrants through the southern border. Included in the sanctions are eight members of the La Nueva Familia Michoacana drug …

House panel says China is subsidizing fentanyl production to fuel crisis in U.S.
8 months, 1 week ago

House panel says China is subsidizing fentanyl production to fuel crisis in U.S.

LA Times  

Gen. William Barr told lawmakers Tuesday that “persuasive evidence” had been uncovered that China’s government is “knee deep” in sponsoring and facilitating the export of fentanyl precursors. Committee investigators said they accessed a Chinese government website that revealed tax rebates for the production of specific fentanyl precursors as well as other synthetic drugs as long as those companies sell them …

Mexico, a leading producer of illicit fentanyl, can’t get enough for medical use, study finds
8 months, 1 week ago

Mexico, a leading producer of illicit fentanyl, can’t get enough for medical use, study finds

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — A report released by the Mexican government Friday says the country is facing a dire shortage of fentanyl for medical use, even as Mexican cartels pump out tons of the illicit narcotic. Nonetheless, Mexican cartels appear to be having no problem importing tons of precursor chemicals and making their own fentanyl, which they smuggle into the United …

US and China talk on fentanyl trafficking
10 months, 3 weeks ago

US and China talk on fentanyl trafficking

Al Jazeera  

Talks on curbing fentanyl trade come after years of deterioration in relations on issues including COVID-19, human rights and Taiwan. The United States and China have launched a joint anti-narcotics group to curb the production and trade of the highly addictive opioid fentanyl in the first sign of cooperation between the superpowers since bilateral relations soured. ‘Gains from cooperation’ Wang …

Hidden panels, counterfeit bottles, fentanyl: A year of buying drugs in Mexican pharmacies
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Hidden panels, counterfeit bottles, fentanyl: A year of buying drugs in Mexican pharmacies

LA Times  

The tag on her white lab coat read “professional pharmacist,” and the framed health and safety certificates lining the walls behind her gave the drugstore an air of legitimacy. One worker said that during the second round of sweeps, authorities came to his Cabo pharmacy “looking for loose pills.” The officials also reviewed financial records, and ultimately decided the store …

In Mexico, Yellen announces economics sanctions as the US aims to crack down on fentanyl trafficking
1 year ago

In Mexico, Yellen announces economics sanctions as the US aims to crack down on fentanyl trafficking

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday announced economic sanctions against 15 people and two companies that the United States says are linked to a Mexican drug cartel as she visited Mexico City for talks with officials about efforts to fight fentanyl trafficking. Yellen traveled to Mexico this week after the Treasury Department announced a strike force to help …

The US sanctions Mexican Sinaloa cartel members and firms over fentanyl trafficking
1 year, 1 month ago

The US sanctions Mexican Sinaloa cartel members and firms over fentanyl trafficking

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 13 members of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel and four Sonora, Mexico-based firms accused of trafficking fentanyl and other drugs into the United States. The Treasury Department’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, Brian Nelson, said that the U.S. “will aggressively pursue all who are complicit operators and facilitators of these …

U.S. sanctions Mexican Sinaloa cartel members and firms over fentanyl trafficking
1 year, 1 month ago

U.S. sanctions Mexican Sinaloa cartel members and firms over fentanyl trafficking

LA Times  

The Treasury Department’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence said that the U.S. “will aggressively pursue all who are complicit operators and facilitators of these illicit fentanyl networks.” The Biden administration on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 13 members of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel and four Sonora, Mexico-based firms accused of trafficking fentanyl and other drugs into the United States. The …

Some GOP candidates want to use force against Mexico to stop fentanyl. Experts say that won’t work
1 year, 2 months ago

Some GOP candidates want to use force against Mexico to stop fentanyl. Experts say that won’t work

Associated Press  

MIAMI — Ron DeSantis wants suspected drug smugglers at the U.S.-Mexico border to be shot dead. Vivek Ramaswamy has accused Mexico’s leader of treating drug cartels as his “sugar daddy” and says that if he is elected president, “there will be a new daddy in town.” Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner for the 2024 nomination and long the person who …

US announces sweeping action against Chinese fentanyl supply chain producers
1 year, 2 months ago

US announces sweeping action against Chinese fentanyl supply chain producers

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Biden administration to launch global coalition to fight fentanyl
1 year, 5 months ago

Biden administration to launch global coalition to fight fentanyl

LA Times  

A display of the fentanyl and methamphetamine that was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Nogales Port of Entry is shown during a news conference in 2019 in Nogales, Ariz. Robinson said the Biden administration believes that, despite poor relations between Washington and Beijing, it can continue to seek cooperation to “stop criminal diversion” of illicit …

Mexico says it doesn’t have a fentanyl problem. New data reveal a hidden epidemic
1 year, 5 months ago

Mexico says it doesn’t have a fentanyl problem. New data reveal a hidden epidemic

LA Times  

As fentanyl has ravaged the United States, killing tens of thousands of Americans each year, Mexican leaders have insisted their country has been virtually untouched by the opioid. Mexico officially recorded just 19 deaths from all opioids in 2020, the most recent year for which data are available, with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador contending fentanyl is exclusively a U.S. …

US launches prosecutions of Chinese companies accused of trafficking fentanyl ingredients
1 year, 6 months ago

US launches prosecutions of Chinese companies accused of trafficking fentanyl ingredients

Firstpost  

The US Justice Department charged four Chinese firms and eight individuals on Friday with allegedly trafficking the ingredients required to manufacture the highly addictive painkiller fentanyl in the US and Mexico. Garland said those actions include stopping Chinese chemical companies from “supplying the cartels with the building blocks they need to manufacture deadly fentanyl.” In a statement, Liu Pengyu, a …

1st US charges against China-based companies accused of selling fentanyl chemicals filed
1 year, 6 months ago

1st US charges against China-based companies accused of selling fentanyl chemicals filed

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has for the first time charged China-based companies and employees with supplying chemicals needed to make fentanyl, a primary driver of an overdose crisis gripping the United States, top officials said Friday. The companies openly advertised the chemicals on social media platforms and shipped them surreptitiously to buyers, even adding molecules to evade testing, said …

US launches prosecutions of Chinese companies on charges of trafficking fentanyl ingredients
1 year, 6 months ago

US launches prosecutions of Chinese companies on charges of trafficking fentanyl ingredients

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The U.S. Justice Department filed criminal charges on Friday against four Chinese companies and eight individuals for allegedly trafficking the chemicals used to make the highly addictive painkiller fentanyl in the United States and Mexico. Garland said those actions include stopping Chinese chemical companies from “supplying the cartels with the building blocks they need to manufacture deadly …

US charges Chinese companies with trafficking fentanyl materials
1 year, 6 months ago

US charges Chinese companies with trafficking fentanyl materials

Al Jazeera  

Chinese officials have countered that the US is shifting blame for what is a domestic opioid addiction crisis. The United States justice department has filed criminal charges against four Chinese companies accused of trafficking materials used to create the addictive painkiller fentanyl. “I promised that the justice department would never forget the victims of the fentanyl epidemic,” said Attorney General …

L.A. public health officials warn about fentanyl-tainted pills in Mexican drug stores
1 year, 6 months ago

L.A. public health officials warn about fentanyl-tainted pills in Mexican drug stores

LA Times  

Medications on shelves in a pharmacy in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Los Angeles County public health officials on Tuesday issued an alert warning Angelenos that some pharmacies in Mexico have been selling counterfeit medications containing fentanyl and other narcotics. “Due to fentanyl, we are seeing people overdose and die the first time they try an illicit substance or counterfeit pill.” Citing …

El Chapo’s son, three Sinaloa cartel leaders and two Mexican firms sanctioned for bringing fentanyl into US
1 year, 7 months ago

El Chapo’s son, three Sinaloa cartel leaders and two Mexican firms sanctioned for bringing fentanyl into US

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The United States on …

Sons of Mexico’s El Chapo: We don’t make fentanyl — or feed victims to tigers
1 year, 7 months ago

Sons of Mexico’s El Chapo: We don’t make fentanyl — or feed victims to tigers

LA Times  

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, head of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, is escorted at Mexico City’s airport after his capture in 2016. “We are victims of persecution and have been made into scapegoats.” Those are among the assertions in a startling letter to the media from “Los Chapitos,” sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán — the notorious ex-kingpin of the Sinaloa cartel …

More sanctions for deadly fentanyl if bill becomes law
1 year, 7 months ago

More sanctions for deadly fentanyl if bill becomes law

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Over the past year, the U.S. Treasury Department has used its sanctions powers to impose wide-ranging financial penalties on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine — turning Russia into the most sanctioned country in the world. Now, the federal agency is facing increasing pressure, including from legislation introduced Tuesday in the Senate, to use those tools …

Editorial: U.S.-Mexico officials must put aside animosity to stop fentanyl deaths
1 year, 8 months ago

Editorial: U.S.-Mexico officials must put aside animosity to stop fentanyl deaths

LA Times  

A round of indictments against a major Mexican fentanyl trafficking ring last week presents an opportunity to hobble the multinational drug enterprise killing people on both sides of the border — but only if leaders in the United States and Mexico can stop sniping at each other and overcome a rift between them. Gen. Merrick Garland, announcing the indictments against …

Mexico president slams US ‘spying’ after traffickers charged
1 year, 8 months ago

Mexico president slams US ‘spying’ after traffickers charged

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s president lashed out Monday at what he called U.S. “spying” and “interference” in Mexico, days after U.S. prosecutors announced charges against 28 members of the Sinaloa cartel for smuggling massive amounts of fentanyl into the United States. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador suggested Monday that the case had been built on information gathered by U.S. agents …

US sanctions Chinese companies accusing them of providing chemicals used to create fentanyl to drug gangs
1 year, 8 months ago

US sanctions Chinese companies accusing them of providing chemicals used to create fentanyl to drug gangs

Firstpost  

The Treasury said that as part of the campaign against fentanyl manufacture, five individuals with addresses in China and Guatemala were also named Washington: According to a statement from the US Treasury Department, Washington placed penalties on two Chinese companies on Friday after accusing them of providing precursor chemicals to Mexican drug gangs used in the creation of illegal fentanyl …

China denies fentanyl trafficking with Mexico; blames US
1 year, 8 months ago

China denies fentanyl trafficking with Mexico; blames US

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — China’s government on Thursday denied the country’s involvement in any illegal fentanyl trafficking with Mexico and said it had not been notified by Mexico’s government of any seizures of the precursor chemicals used to make the powerful drug. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning made the comments in response to a question about a plea from Mexico …

Mexico asks China’s help in curbing production of fentanyl
1 year, 8 months ago

Mexico asks China’s help in curbing production of fentanyl

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s president asked his Chinese counterpart for help Tuesday in halting chemicals from China used by Mexican drug dealers to illegally produce fentanyl, while also complaining of “rude” U.S. pressure to curb the drug trade. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has previously said that fentanyl is America’s problem and is caused by “a lack of hugs” in …

Mexico complains to China about U.S. pressure over fentanyl
1 year, 8 months ago

Mexico complains to China about U.S. pressure over fentanyl

LA Times  

Mexico’s president on Tuesday asked China for help in halting chemicals used by Mexican drug dealers to illegally produce fentanyl, while also complaining of U.S. pressure to curb the drug trade. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has previously said that fentanyl is the United States’ problem, caused by “a lack of hugs” in families. “Unjustly, they are blaming us for …

Mexican president pushes back on US criticism on violence
1 year, 8 months ago

Mexican president pushes back on US criticism on violence

Firstpost  

Mexican cartels have imported fentanyl precursors under false names or as mislabeled products, with help from inside the regulatory agency. They then process it into fentanyl, press it into counterfeit pills made to look like oxycodone, Xanax or Percocet and smuggle it into the United States Mexico City: Mexico’s president on Friday angrily rejected comments by US Secretary of State …

US warns about fake, dangerous pills being sold in Mexico
1 year, 9 months ago

US warns about fake, dangerous pills being sold in Mexico

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning about dangerous counterfeit pills being sold at pharmacies in Mexico that often contain fentanyl. The State Department warned that such pills are often counterfeit and “may contain deadly doses of fentanyl.” “Counterfeit pills are readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in …

Lack of hugs caused US fentanyl crisis, Mexico’s leader says
1 year, 9 months ago

Lack of hugs caused US fentanyl crisis, Mexico’s leader says

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s president said Friday that U.S. families were to blame for the fentanyl overdose crisis because they don’t hug their kids enough. The comment by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador caps a week of provocative statements from him about the crisis caused by the fentanyl, a synthetic opioid trafficked by Mexican cartels that has been blamed for …

Mexican president floats fentanyl ban, faults US drug policy
1 year, 9 months ago

Mexican president floats fentanyl ban, faults US drug policy

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s president called anti-drug policies in the U.S. a failure Wednesday and proposed a ban on using fentanyl in medicine — even though little of the drug crosses from hospitals into the illegal market. But López Obrador said he would ask doctors and experts whether all use of fentanyl by doctors could be ended, as well, to …

Mexico claims largest synthetic drug lab bust to date
1 year, 10 months ago

Mexico claims largest synthetic drug lab bust to date

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — Mexican soldiers seized more than a half million fentanyl pills in a raid on what the army’s announcement Wednesday called the largest synthetic drug lab found to date. “This is the highest-capacity synthetic drug production lab on record during this administration,” the army said in a statement. The bust came on the same day that the U.S. …

Mexico, U.S. officials call for action after investigation into counterfeit medicine
1 year, 10 months ago

Mexico, U.S. officials call for action after investigation into counterfeit medicine

LA Times  

Officials from Washington, D.C., to Mexico City have begun calling for action after an “alarming” Los Angeles Times investigation revealed that some pharmacies in Mexico are selling counterfeit medication laced with powerful narcotics including fentanyl and methamphetamine. “No one should suffer an overdose from a counterfeit drug, especially one sold at a pharmacy.” Jeremy Khan, a spokesman for the U.S. …

US sanctions Mexico’s Familia Michoacana drug cartel
2 years, 1 month ago

US sanctions Mexico’s Familia Michoacana drug cartel

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions Thursday on Mexico’s Familia Michoacana drug cartel, which it accused of manufacturing “rainbow” fentanyl pills purportedly aimed at children. “Not only does this cartel traffic fentanyl, which claimed the lives of more than 108,000 Americans last year, it now markets ‘rainbow fentanyl’ as part of a deliberate effort to drive addiction …

Mexican prosecutors seize half a million fentanyl pills
2 years, 5 months ago

Mexican prosecutors seize half a million fentanyl pills

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — Mexican prosecutors announced Friday they have seized a half-million fentanyl pills in a raid at a warehouse in the northern city of Culiacan. Mexican cartels manufacture the synthetic opioid from precursors imported from China, and then press the drug into counterfeit pills made to look like Xanax, Adderall or Oxycodone. On Thursday, Mexico’s army and National Guard …

Mexico seizes ‘historic’ half-ton of fentanyl at warehouse
2 years, 5 months ago

Mexico seizes ‘historic’ half-ton of fentanyl at warehouse

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s army and National Guard announced Thursday what they called a “historic” seizure of over a half-ton of fentanyl at a warehouse in the northern city of Culiacan. “This is the largest seizure in history of this lethal drug,” said Assistant Public Safety Secretary Ricardo Mejia, estimating the fentanyl had an illicit value of around $230 million. …

Mexican cartels are turning to meth and fentanyl production
3 years ago

Mexican cartels are turning to meth and fentanyl production

NPR  

Mexican cartels are turning to meth and fentanyl production Enlarge this image toggle caption Marco Ugarte/AP file photo Marco Ugarte/AP file photo MEXICO CITY — Mexican drug cartels are turning to bigger, more productive labs to churn out increasing quantities of synthetic drugs like meth and fentanyl, according to seizure figures issued Monday by the country's Defense Department. The defense …

Mexico sees fentanyl seizures up 465%, denies making drug
4 years, 3 months ago

Mexico sees fentanyl seizures up 465%, denies making drug

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Mexican authorities say seizures of …

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