Despite President Joe Biden’s administration’s alleged efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking, new statistics reveal that the crisis is worsening, with a significant rise in fentanyl-related deaths. Approximately 38,000 deaths linked to fentanyl were reported in the first half of 2023, highlighting the severe impact on American lives.
In 2022, President Biden introduced the National Drug Control Strategy, aiming to tackle untreated addiction and bolster law enforcement against drug traffickers. The strategy focused on targeting the financial networks of drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). “The Strategy prioritizes a targeted response to drug traffickers and TCOs by hitting them where it hurts the most: their wallets,” stated a White House press release.
However, recent reports indicate that two powerful Mexican drug cartels, Sinaloa and Jalisco, have solidified their control over drug trafficking into the U.S. These cartels are primarily responsible for the distribution of fentanyl, which is causing around 200 American deaths per day.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Sinaloa Cartel has partnered with Chinese underground banking networks to launder drug proceeds. “The Justice Department today announced a 10-count superseding indictment charging Los Angeles-based associates of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel with conspiring with money-laundering groups linked to Chinese underground banking to launder drug trafficking proceeds,” the DEA reported. Over $50 million in drug proceeds have been laundered through this alliance.
The DEA has identified fentanyl as the “nation’s greatest and most urgent drug threat,” noting that seizures of fentanyl powder nearly doubled over the past two years. In 2023 alone, the DEA seized 13,176 kilograms (29,048 pounds) of fentanyl.
Despite the administration’s efforts, the ongoing surge in illegal drug trafficking and fentanyl-related deaths highlights the challenges in addressing this critical issue. The statistics underscore the need for enhanced strategies to combat the drug crisis effectively.
