By Natalia Rueda 
In recent years, the United States has faced a worrying rise in opioid-related overdoses, with fentanyl at the forefront of this crisis. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine, has become a highly lucrative product for illegal trafficking and an extremely lethal substance. Mexican cartels, especially the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation, have been fingered as the main culprits behind the spread of fentanyl in the United States, according to DEA reports. In 2023, this devastating crisis claimed the lives of more than 59,000 Americans.
Production and trafficking
Mexican cartels have become adept at tapping into global supply chains to obtain the precursor chemicals needed for fentanyl production. These chemicals are often sourced from countries such as China, before being diverted to clandestine laboratories throughout Mexico. Cartels have established complex networks to facilitate the acquisition, transportation and synthesis of these chemicals into fentanyl by exploiting corrupt officials, international transporters.
Unlike the vast poppy fields needed for heroin production, fentanyl can be manufactured in relatively small, hidden laboratories. As a result, Mexican cartels have retooled many of their existing capabilities to focus on fentanyl. These labs are often located in remote rural regions, where the risk of detection is lower. The synthetic nature of fentanyl also allows for year-round production, unlike plant-based opioids that have seasonal limitations.
Smuggling routes
Once produced, fentanyl reaches the United States through established smuggling routes. These routes typically involve a combination of land, air and sea transport channels. Techniques range from sophisticated tunnels running under the U.S.-Mexico border to commercial shipping operations and passenger vehicles carrying concealed drugs. The cartels have even used everyday objects, such as toys and clothing, to conceal their deadly shipments.
The cartels hide fentanyl in counterfeit pills designed to look like prescription drugs such as oxycodone, Xanax and Percocet. They also mix powdered fentanyl with other drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, often without the knowledge of users.
Economic Influence of Cartels
The economic incentives for cartels to traffic fentanyl are enormous. The relatively low cost of precursor chemicals, compared to the high street prices in the U.S., translates into a high profit margin. These economic gains are reinvested in the cartels’ operations, allowing them to expand their influence and capabilities. This vicious cycle perpetuates the fentanyl crisis, as more resources mean more production and wider distribution.
The Sinaloa Cartel, led by the sons of notorious drug lord Chapo Guzman, known as the “Chapitos,” has made fentanyl its main source of revenue since 2012. So wide is the reach of these cartels that they operate in more than 40 countries and maintain a presence in all 50 US states.
Bilateral Efforts
The DEA report has provoked tensions with the Mexican government, and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has denied any inconsistency in bilateral cooperation. However, the report raises concerns about Mexico’s ability to combat drug trafficking and has led to calls for greater cooperation between the two countries.
As the fentanyl crisis reaches alarming levels in the U.S., the DEA urges the public to remain vigilant and aware of the extreme danger posed by this synthetic opioid. The report serves as a wake-up call for authorities to take immediate action and strengthen U.S.-Mexico cooperation to combat drug trafficking and save lives.
The influence of Mexican cartels on the fentanyl crisis in the United States is undeniable and multifaceted. From production to distribution, these criminal organizations have capitalized on the lucrative synthetic opioid market, to the serious detriment of public health in the United States.
With information from the DEA