EE.UU. warns about Mexican cartels and China as responsible for drug crisis
Photo: Picryl.
In its 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has emphasized the seriousness of the current narcotics crisis, identifying Mexican cartels from Sinaloa and Jalisco, as well as China, as the main culprits.
The report highlights a “dangerous shift” in the drug landscape, moving from plant-based to synthetic drugs, which has triggered “the most dangerous and deadly drug crisis the United States has ever faced,” according to Anne Milgram, head of the DEA.
Fentanyl and methamphetamine, synthetic drugs, are identified as the main causes of almost all drug-related deaths in the country, claiming the lives of approximately 38,000 Americans in just the first six months of 2023.
The Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are considered “the primary criminal organizations in Mexico and the most dangerous,” controlling everything from production to distribution of drugs in both Mexico and the United States.
These organizations are not only involved in drug trafficking but also in other illicit activities such as arms trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking. Their influence extends globally, with a presence in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
China, on the other hand, is singled out as a key player in this criminal chain, supplying cartels with chemical precursors and necessary equipment for the production of synthetic drugs, as well as facilitating money laundering through clandestine financial organizations.
One of the most concerning characteristics of these synthetic drugs is their high potency and their presentation in pill form, designed to resemble prescription medications, thus increasing the risk of overdose and death among consumers.
Furthermore, the production of these drugs is not subject to the same challenges as traditional drugs such as cocaine and heroin since they can be manufactured anywhere and at any time with the right chemicals.
In response to this crisis, the DEA calls for closer international cooperation to combat drug trafficking and associated activities, as well as increased surveillance and control over chemical precursors and financial networks used by the cartels.
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