WASHINGTON – Eight China-based chemical companies and eight employees have been indicted in the Middle District of Florida for crimes related to the attempted distribution of synthetic opioids and fentanyl precursor chemicals, with five of the indictments also including money laundering charges, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The Justice Department said the charges reflect ongoing efforts to target fentanyl’s global supply chain, which often begins with Chinese chemical companies. “We will continue to target every organization and individual that fuels the deadly drug trade,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
The indictments highlight the evolving tactics of drug traffickers. After China banned fentanyl production in 2019, many manufacturers shifted to producing precursor chemicals, distributing them globally, including to the United States and Mexico, where they are used by drug cartels.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram emphasized the agency’s determination to disrupt fentanyl production: “These indictments reflect DEA’s commitment to targeting every part of the global fentanyl supply chain.”
To evade detection, the charged companies allegedly used encrypted communication, false shipping labels, and cryptocurrency payments. U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida reaffirmed efforts to disrupt the flow of these deadly substances into the U.S., which contributes to thousands of deaths each year.
The indicted firms include Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Co. Ltd., Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., and Shanghai Senria New Materials Co. Ltd., among others. Charges range from attempted importation of synthetic opioids to international money laundering. The Justice Department acknowledged China’s Ministry of Public Security for recent regulatory efforts to schedule precursor chemicals.
The DEA continues to investigate the cases, aiming to dismantle the networks supplying precursor chemicals to drug cartels.