The millions of doses of fentanyl seized by the DEA in 2022 could kill the entire US population, the agency indicated in a recent report, where it points to the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG as the main culprits in the distribution
The DEA claimed to have seized more than 379 million doses of illegal fentanyl this year, pointing to the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG as the main culprits.
The agency said it seized more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder and 50.6 million tablets this year. This figure is double the amount seized in 2021.
In 2021, it was reported that 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, and two-thirds of those deaths were caused by fentanyl.
“DEA’s top operational priority is to take down the two Mexican drug cartels, the Sinaloa and Jalisco (CJNG) cartels, which are primarily responsible for the fentanyl that is killing Americans today,” said Anne Milgram, the DEA administrator, in a statement.
She claimed that the amounts of fentanyl seized could “kill all” Americans.
“Most of the fentanyl trafficked by the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels is mass-produced in secret factories in Mexico with chemicals sourced primarily from China,” the DEA said.
He added that the pills produced by the cartels are nearly “identical” to actual prescription drugs, including OxyContin, Percocet and Xanax.
“Fake pills are easy to find on social media,” she warned herself. “No pharmaceutical pill bought on social networks is safe. The only safe medications are those prescribed directly by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.”
A report by The Washington Post indicates that the DEA’s seizure figures do not include the actions of other agencies, such as the Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Border agents reportedly detected more than 14,000 pounds of fentanyl, a record amount, during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
The Post report, based on previous research, found that fentanyl has become the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18 to 49.
“Fatal fentanyl overdoses have increased 94% since 2019, and the drug now claims more lives in the United States than car accidents, gun violence, or suicides,” it reported.
Fentanyl, 50 times more powerful than heroin, but it is fatal.