The head of Mexico’s Criminal Investigation Agency has apologized for his statement characterizing Mexico as “the champion” of fentanyl production, which contradicted President López Obrador’s denial of fentanyl production in Mexico. Mexico has seen significant seizures of methamphetamine, including a recent one in Quiriego, Sonora, where over 45 tons were confiscated. Gallo’s comments at a U.S.-Mexico conference on synthetic drugs in Mexico City drew López Obrador’s ire, who demanded an explanation from Gallo’s office, calling the comments “alarmist.”
Experts agree that cartels in Mexico use precursor chemicals from China and India to make fentanyl and smuggle it into the United States, where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually. While fentanyl is not widely abused in Mexico, methamphetamine addiction is commonplace. Gallo said Mexican cartels have launched industrial-scale production of meth in many states throughout the country and now export the drug around the world. The meth trade has become so lucrative and sophisticated that Mexican meth is exported as far away as Hong Kong or Australia, and the cartels have found ways to avoid detection of their drug money.
In February, Mexico’s Navy seized over 45 tons of methamphetamine at the largest drug lab found during the current administration in Quiriego, Sonora. The 91,000 pounds of meth found there was more than half of the total amount seized by Mexico so far in the year. Fentanyl production is also significant, with a large seizure of half a million fentanyl pills in Culiacan a year ago. Soldiers also seized a substantial amount of powdered fentanyl and suspected methamphetamine during the operation. The massive scale of drug production in Mexico continues to be a concern for authorities domestically and internationally.
Mexico continues to struggle with high fentanyl consumption as experts warn that data may be clouded by a lack of testing in the country. Cartels use precursor chemicals from China and India to produce synthetic opioids like fentanyl and smuggle them into the United States, contributing to a high number of overdose deaths annually. The industrial-scale production of methamphetamine by Mexican cartels has become a major concern, as the drug is now being exported globally. The sophistication and profitability of the drug trade in Mexico pose challenges for law enforcement in combating the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs.
The apology from the head of Mexico’s detective service for his comments characterizing Mexico as a leader in fentanyl and meth production highlights the sensitivity of the issue in the country. President López Obrador’s denial of fentanyl production in Mexico contrasts with the reality of significant drug seizures and the prevalence of methamphetamine addiction domestically. The large-scale drug production by Mexican cartels poses challenges for both domestic law enforcement and international efforts to combat drug trafficking. The acknowledgment of the scale of drug production in Mexico underscores the need for continued efforts to address the issue and prevent further harm from synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine.
