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Although a cooperative effort to curb the supply of fentanyl brought some results over the years, enthusiasm dampened as tensions grew between China and the U.S. On Aug. 5, 2022 — after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, a self-governing island Beijing considers its own — China officially announced the suspension of anti-drug cooperation with the U.S. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington, DC, said the Chinese government took a firm stance on counter-narcotics and accused the US of “scapegoating” China and undermining China-US anti-drug cooperation. The Biden-Harris Administration also has taken historic action to expand access to life-saving public health services and remove decades-long barriers to treatment for substance use disorder.
Understanding the Risks and Legalities of Purchasing Substances
This method of payment engenders multiple threats to public health and safety, economic sustainability, food security, and global biodiversity. If this wildlife trafficking spreads dangerous zoonotic diseases, it could even pose a threat to national security. Chinese actors have come to play an increasing role in laundering money for Mexican cartels, including the principal distributors of fentanyl to the United States — the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). Chinese money laundering brokers mostly manage to circumvent the U.S. and Mexican formal banking systems. Other money laundering and value transfers between Mexican and Chinese criminal networks include trade-based laundering, value transfer utilizing wildlife products, such as protected and unprotected marine products and timber, real estate, cryptocurrencies, casinos, and bulk cash.
Ltd., a pharmaceuticals maker registered in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei province, said the company had drastically reduced the number of synthetic opioids and other compounds it offered because of the heightened legal scrutiny in China. The Biden administration took aim Tuesday at the fentanyl trafficking threat, announcing a series of indictments and sanctions against Chinese companies and executives blamed for importing the chemicals used to make the deadly drug. This is the Biden administration’s second major indictment of Chinese entities for fentanyl-related crimes since June, when Washington accused four Chinese companies and eight people of fentanyl production, distribution, and sales. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has also called on Beijing to help stop the flow of fentanyl into his country.
As that case illustrates, along with the massive amount of fentanyl seizures being reported across the U.S., most of the fentanyl that crosses here moves on. It was Cesar Daleo, a former Border Patrol agent living in condo he’d bought in Mexico, authorities said. He placed the package in his trunk, then headed south on Interstate 5 to the border. He was pulled over just before he drove into Mexico, according to court records. One kilogram of pure fentanyl from China, costing about $3,300 to $5,000, can be turned into a diluted powder sold on San Diego streets at a $300,000 value, according to the DEA.
These six fentanyl derivatives are acetyl-fentanyl, butyryl-fentanyl, beta-hydroxythio-fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, iso-butyr-fentanyl, and ocfentanyl. This Supplementary List legally banned the production, trade, trafficking, use, import, and export of fentanyl and its related substances. If medical applications of the formerly non-medical-use drugs are accepted, they can be rescheduled and catalogued under the Regulation on the Administration of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Drugs. These rescheduled medical-use drugs can then be produced and sold when specially licensed [18].
When discussing the topic of how to buy fentanyl from China, it is crucial to understand the significant legal and ethical implications involved. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is extremely potent and has been linked to numerous overdose fatalities worldwide.
The U.S. experienced a record 100,306 overdose fatalities in the 12-months spanning May 2020–April 2021, rising 28.5% from the prior year (19). Around 64% of these fatalities (20), about 150 overdose deaths per day (21), were linked to synthetic opioids (non-methadone). Scrambling to contain surging overdose deaths, Washington has blamed Beijing for failing to curb the supply of synthetic drugs that U.S. officials say come mainly from China.
Legal Considerations
In general, regulators inspect few firms, and a high failure rate of those that manufacture controlled substances should be of greater concern to authorities. Chinese officials have been at pains to emphasize the efforts they have made to expand drug controls and crack down on illicit suppliers, even though synthetic opioid abuse is not perceived to be a significant problem in China. Carfentanil is the latest scourge in an epidemic of opioid abuse that has killed tens of thousands of people in the United States alone. Dealers have been cutting carfentanil and its weaker cousin, fentanyl, into heroin and other illicit drugs to boost profit margins. Additionally, a number of experts have linked the over-prescription of legal opioid medications to the growth in demand for illicit drugs with similar effects.
In many countries, including the United States, the possession and distribution of fentanyl without a prescription is illegal. Engaging in illicit activities can lead to severe legal repercussions. Here are some key points to consider:
- Controlled Substance: Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.
- Legal Consequences: Buying fentanyl without a prescription can result in criminal charges.
- International Laws: Importing controlled substances, including fentanyl, can lead to prosecution under international drug trafficking laws.
Health Risks
Purchasing fentanyl from unauthorized sources poses significant health risks:
- Drug supply chains are changing in other ways as traffickers engage in a cat-and-mouse game to evade law enforcement.
- And one of the big issues is whether law enforcement, policy awareness – some policy can halt it from spreading westward.
- When confronted about his illicit business, Chen told NPR he did not sell fentanyl or precursors and denied he was the person behind the moniker “King Sun.”
- Potency: Fentanyl is much more potent than heroin or morphine, increasing the risk of overdose.
- Adulteration: Illicitly obtained fentanyl may be mixed with other dangerous substances.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Users may experience severe withdrawal symptoms if they are dependent on opioids.
Reasons for Caution
Aside from the legal and health risks, there are several reasons to exercise caution:
- Scams: Many online vendors may not deliver the promised substances or may provide fake products.
- Lack of Quality Control: There are no guarantees on the purity or safety of what is purchased.
- Addiction Potential: The risk of developing a substance use disorder is significant.
FAQs about Fentanyl
Is fentanyl always illegal?
Fentanyl is legal when prescribed by a licensed medical professional for legitimate medical conditions. However, obtaining it through unauthorized means is illegal.
What are the signs of fentanyl overdose?
Common signs of fentanyl overdose include:
- Unconsciousness or inability to wake up
- Slow or difficult breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
- Cold or clammy skin
What should I do if I encounter someone who has overdosed on fentanyl?
If you suspect someone has overdosed, call emergency services immediately and administer naloxone if available.
Conclusion
Understanding how to buy fentanyl from China should start and end with a clear recognition of the grave legal, health, and ethical issues involved. Engaging in risky behavior can have devastating consequences for individuals and their loved ones. Always consult with medical professionals for advice regarding opioids and pain management.
