The U.S. Strikes Back Against Chinese Companies Involved in Fentanyl Distribution
A woman protests against Chinese fentanyl in front of the White House in 2022. The efforts of her and others to advocate against fentanyl imports– which kill 70,000 Americans annually– paid off with the indictment on Oct. 24 of eight China-based companies allegedly involved in Fentanyl import. Photo credit: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com.
However, his life was tragically cut short in 2017 when then-27-year-old Blake died after an accidental fentanyl overdose.
“He often called himself ‘Penguin,’ a bird that cannot fly. He had the sense of not quite fitting in,” wrote his mother, Kim, in an article entitled Sean’s Struggle. “At some point, he started using drugs to try to feel better about himself.”
The Epidemic of Fentanyl Abuse
However, the saddest part is the fact that this tragedy is only one out of approximately over 74,000 deaths that occur yearly from fentanyl abuse, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is by far the largest chunk of overall opioid deaths, which number 84,000 annually.
Eight Chinese Companies Indicted
In the midst of the battle against fentanyl, which is even more potent than heroin, the Justice Department announced on Oct. 24 the unsealing of indictments against eight chemical companies based in China and eight employees who were charged with federal crimes like attempted distribution of synthetic opioids and precursor chemicals used to produce fentanyl, according to a public statement.
The companies charged are Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical, based in Guangzhou; Hubei Shanglin Trading from Wuhan; Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical, based in Beijing; Tianjin Furuntongda Tech from Tianjin; Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading from Wuhan; Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology also from Wuhan; Henan Oumeng Trade from Zhengzhou; and Shanghai Senria New Materials from Shanghai.
Unsealed indictments show that defendants and their companies openly advertised the ability to bring either synthetic opioids or the chemicals used to make fentanyl to the U.S., engaging in evasive activities like mislabeling the contents of shipments and other things that would keep the drugs undetected.
Comments by Officials
U.S. officials expressed their commitment to fighting the illegal import of fentanyl in public statements.
“The global fentanyl supply chain, which ends with the deaths of Americans, often starts with chemical companies based in China,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In order to break this critical link in the fentanyl supply chain, the Justice Department has aggressively investigated and prosecuted these companies. We will continue to target every organization and individual that fuels the deadly drug trade.”
“Today’s indictments against eight China-based chemical companies and eight Chinese nationals are further evidence of DEA’s unwavering commitment to disrupt every aspect of the global fentanyl supply chain,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration. “For the third time in over a year, DEA investigations have resulted in charges against chemical companies and individuals in China who we allege are supplying chemicals to the cartels to make deadly fentanyl. While they may go to great lengths to try to evade our detection, DEA will use every tool and authority we have to save American lives.”
Let’s hope they can..
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