The US intends to employ more sanctions against fentanyl traffickers

The White House announced on Tuesday that the United States intends to broaden measures to disrupt illegal financial operations by drug traffickers participating in the fentanyl trade by boosting the use of sanctions.

President Joe Biden's administration would intensify sanctions and other actions against important targets to hinder drug traffickers' access to the U.S. financial system and illegal financial flows, according to a White House fact sheet outlining its plans for a crackdown on fentanyl supply chains.

The White House announced that "We will also strengthen collaboration with international partners on illicit finance and anti-money laundering efforts related to drug trafficking."

According to the report, the US is forming a global alliance to step up its campaign against illicit synthetic drugs. Details on the sanctions or other measures were not included in the statement.

This discovery comes as Mexican security cabinet members visit the US this week to discuss the trafficking of the synthetic drug fentanyl with US officials.

The Biden administration has received calls from some American lawmakers to adopt a tougher stance and increase pressure on Mexico to combat fentanyl trafficking. The U.S. military should target Mexican cartels and their labs inside Mexico, some Republican lawmakers have even demanded.

According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdoses involving synthetic opioids, especially fentanyl, claimed the lives of over 70,000 Americans in 2021.

By fLEXI tEAM