BEIJING – China is condemning the recent American sanctions on two Chinese companies and four individuals alleged to be involved in the supply of fentanyl ingredients to Mexican drug cartels that ultimately end up in the U.S. market.
While speaking at a news briefing, spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressed that China has been doing its best to assist the U.S. in drug control as a gesture of humanitarianism. He further stated that the repeated imposition of sanctions by the U.S. seriously hampers bilateral cooperation in drug control.
The sanctions specifically target Wuhan Shuokang Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Suzhou Xiaoli Pharmatech Co., Ltd., Yao Huatao, Wu Yaqin, Wu Yonghao, and Wang Hongfei.
Shortly after the sanctions, the Justice Department also announced a series of indictments against members of the Sinaloa Cartel based in Sinaloa, Mexico.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, while announcing the enforcement actions against the cartel, highlighted the crucial role played by Chinese precursor chemical and pharmaceutical companies in fueling the world’s largest fentanyl trafficking operation. He emphasized the importance of disrupting fentanyl trafficking to save American lives and curb the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic on families and communities in the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl cause more than 150 overdose deaths in the U.S. every day.