US plans sanctions on fentanyl traffickers

On Tuesday, the White House announced intentions to increase sanctions to disrupt fentanyl traffickers’ illicit financial operations.

The White House’s fact sheet on fentanyl supply chains claimed President Joe Biden’s administration will tighten sanctions and other actions against priority targets to block drug traffickers’ access to the U.S. financial system and illegal money flows.

The White House stated it would work with international partners on illicit finance and anti-money laundering related to drug trafficking.

It said the US is developing a worldwide coalition to fight illicit synthetic drugs faster. Sanctions and additional procedures were not specified.

This week, Mexico’s security cabinet will visit the US to discuss fentanyl trafficking.

Several U.S. politicians want the Biden administration to press Mexico more to stop fentanyl trafficking. Republican lawmakers have even suggested bombing Mexican gangs and labs.

According to the CDC, synthetic opioid overdoses, including fentanyl, killed over 70,000 Americans in 2021.