Mexico: US Sanctions 10, Including El Chapo's Brother-in-law, on Fentanyl Trade
The Treasury Department has unveiled new sanctions targeting a network of Mexico cartels engaged in the illicit fentanyl trade and methamphetamine into the United States. DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images

The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on 10 individuals from Mexico, including a brother-in-law of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, for their alleged involvement in the production and trafficking of the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, AP reports.

These individuals are reportedly connected to the sons of El Chapo, known as the Los Chapitos, who are held responsible by US prosecutors for a significant portion of the fentanyl trade into the United States.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned these individuals in close collaboration with the Mexican government, targeting entities and individuals associated with one of the most pervasive drug trafficking organizations globally.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the action resulted from coordination with Mexico's government.

One of the sanctioned individuals is Noel López Pérez, who is the brother of El Chapo's second wife, Griselda López Pérez.

El Chapo is serving a life sentence in the US for drug trafficking as the notorious Sinaloa cartel leader.

Additionally, the sanctions extend to REI Compania Internacional, based in Mexico State, which the Treasury Department has identified as a recipient of chemical precursor shipments from China.

The sanctions effectively freeze any assets held by the designated individuals within the United States and prohibit US citizens from engaging in any transactions with them.

Two others targeted by the sanctions are cousins of the Chapitos.

Mexico's AMLO Reacts to US Treasury Sanctions

Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador responded to the US Treasury Department's announcement by acknowledging that the United States is acting responsibly to combat fentanyl and other drugs.

However, he also highlighted the need for further action to address the underlying causes of the problem, according to Reuters.

AMLO emphasized the issue's complexity during his regular morning news conference.

In pursuit of stronger collaboration, López Obrador disclosed that his Security Minister, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, would meet with US Homeland Security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall later in the month to discuss the problem.

The Biden administration has been actively seeking increased cooperation from Mexico and China in curbing the fentanyl trade and its precursor chemicals.

Fentanyl Kills Tens of Thousands of Americans Annually

The devastating impact of fentanyl, even in minuscule doses, is evident in the rising number of overdose deaths. Often disguised within other drugs, fentanyl poses a grave danger to users unaware of its presence.

Officials have reported that out of the 108,000 overdose deaths in 2021, over 80,000 were linked to opioids such as fentanyl.

The head of Border Patrol recently disclosed that agents had seized a significant quantity of fentanyl since October, enough to potentially cause the death of 100 million Americans.

President Biden acknowledged the severity of the crisis during his State of the Union address in February, emphasizing the urgent need for bipartisan efforts to combat fentanyl trade, Fox News reports.

His proposed measures include increased funding for technology at ports of entry to enhance drug detection capabilities.

During his address, Biden stated, "Fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year. Let's launch a major surge to stop fentanyl production, sale, and trafficking, with more drug detection machines to inspect cargo and stop pills and powder at the border."

He also called for cooperation with couriers and advocated for enhanced penalties for trafficking offenses.

The mention of fentanyl in Biden's address led to Republicans expressing blame, with some yelling, "It's your fault."

This renewed criticism has prompted calls from certain Republicans to "secure the border" to address the issue of drug trafficking.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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