Not only is China responsible for the Fentanyl pouring into the United States, Mexico has a hand in it as well. How? Check out the points below.
- Production: Mexican drug cartels have expanded their operations to produce fentanyl within Mexico’s borders, taking advantage of lax regulations and porous borders.
- Synthesis: Cartels have developed sophisticated laboratories capable of synthesizing large quantities of fentanyl and its analogs, often using precursor chemicals sourced from China.
- Transit: Mexico serves as a key transit point for fentanyl trafficking, with cartels utilizing established smuggling routes to move the drug across the border into the United States.
- Distribution: Once in the U.S., Mexican cartels distribute fentanyl through their extensive networks, which include street gangs and local dealers operating in cities across the country.
- Supply Chain: Mexico’s role in the fentanyl trade is interconnected with the broader illicit drug supply chain, leveraging existing infrastructure and expertise in smuggling narcotics.
- Corruption: Corruption within Mexican law enforcement and government institutions facilitates the operations of drug cartels, allowing them to operate with relative impunity and evade prosecution.
- Profit Motive: The high profitability of fentanyl compared to other drugs incentivizes cartels to prioritize its production and distribution, further fueling its availability in the United States.
- Demand: While the United States bears responsibility for its demand for opioids, Mexico’s role in supplying fentanyl exacerbates the crisis, contributing to its widespread availability and devastating impact on communities.
These points highlight Mexico’s significant role in the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States, from production and transit to distribution and corruption.