Admin l Tuesday, 30 May 2023
WASHINGTON – The United States today imposed sanctions on Mexicans and the Chinese over what it described as illicit manufacture and trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.
In a statement, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, are a major cause of death among adults ages 18 to 45 in the United States.
“Today, the Department of the Treasury sanctioned 17 individuals and entities involved in the production of illicit drugs, 13 of which are based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and four of which are based in Mexico”, he said.
He explained that this action was coordinated closely across the U.S. government with the Government of Mexico and targets entities and individuals involved in criminal activities, not specific countries.
“These designated individuals and entities were involved in creating counterfeit pills with false markings of legitimate pharmaceuticals, often laced with fentanyl, and likely bound for U.S. markets”, he said, adding “today’s actions further bolster those previously taken by the Biden-Harris administration as part of a whole-of-government offensive to save lives by disrupting illicit fentanyl supply chains around the globe”.
To date, he said the administration has supported more than 20 million Americans in recovery, strengthened partnerships with law enforcement around the world to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations, and issued over 30 reward offers totaling over $75 million for information to help bring illicit fentanyl traffickers to justice through the Narcotics and Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Programs.
“To address synthetic drug threats, the Department of State is mobilizing a global coalition that will strengthen international engagement and drive innovative actions. I look forward to working with all willing countries around the world to address this shared threat”, Blinken said.
This Administration, he noted remains committed to disrupting the illicit synthetic drugs supply chain, from production to smuggling to distribution. I look forward to working with all willing countries around the world to address this shared threat.
