Rosalind Evans
Amid growing concerns about the opioid crisis, the US has taken decisive action by sanctioning 25 China-based entities and individuals believed to be pivotal in producing chemicals essential for fentanyl. A potent opioid, fentanyl, has been at the center of the US drug epidemic, contributing significantly to overdose deaths. The move, however, has been met with criticism from China, pointing towards the US as the root cause of the crisis.
Attorney General Merrick Garland illuminated the situation, stating that the fentanyl supply chain “often starts with chemical companies in China.” This statement reflects the broader concern in the US about the origin and trafficking of this deadly drug. In an alarming revelation in 2022, fentanyl was connected to a staggering 109,680 deaths. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of addressing its rampant proliferation.
The Chinese foreign ministry expressed strong dissent in response to the US’s decision. Highlighting their strict crackdown on drug crimes and tight control of precursor chemicals, they opposed the sanctions imposed on Chinese entities and individuals. The ministry emphasized, “Imposing pressure and sanctions cannot solve the United States’ problems.” This remark alludes to the contention that the root of the fentanyl crisis is within the US.
Earlier this year, the dialogue about fentanyl trafficking intensified when Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador appealed to China to stem the purported flow of fentanyl and its precursors into Mexico. This request came amid claims by US authorities implicating Mexican drug gangs in disseminating fentanyl throughout the US.
The US Treasury Department, shedding light on the measures, remarked that the sanctions are directed at a “China-based network responsible for the manufacturing and distribution” of fentanyl precursors and other illicit drugs. The department further detailed these entities’ subterfuge methods, such as false addresses and deceptive labelling.
The comprehensive sanctions affect a vast number of individuals and entities. Specifically, 12 entities and 13 individuals in China are under the purview of these sanctions. Additionally, two entities and a single individual in Canada are also included. The sanctions imply a freeze on their US assets, prohibiting dealings with Americans.
In an unwavering stance, Merrick Garland expressed, “We know who is responsible for poisoning the American people with fentanyl.” He traced the supply chain from the cartels to the chemical companies in China. This sentiment is further reinforced by the US Justice Department’s unveiling of indictments against eight Chinese companies and their 12 employees for crimes concerning fentanyl and methamphetamine.
However, in a concluding note, it was revealed that the Chinese government did not collaborate with the US during these investigations, and no arrests have been made.
In light of these revelations, it becomes evident that while the opioid crisis is a multifaceted problem, the collective global response is crucial. Fentanyl’s deadly reach requires international cooperation, understanding, and swift action to protect countless lives.
