Title: Fentanyl: how the Mexican cartels found their new gold mine
Introduction :
Fentanyl addiction is becoming a scourge in the United States. This extremely powerful and potentially deadly synthetic drug is exported from Mexico by drug cartels. Lighter, more discreet and easier to produce than opium, fentanyl has become a real source of profit for criminal organizations. In this article, we delve into the heart of this Mexican drug trade in full upheaval, to understand how fentanyl has become the cartels’ new gold mine.
1. Fentanyl: a destructive synthetic opioid
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is found to be fifty times more potent than heroin. Its power and dangerousness make it a drug very popular with users looking for a strong euphoria. Unfortunately, the potency of fentanyl carries a high risk of overdose, which explains the alarming number of deaths linked to this drug.
2. The role of Mexican cartels in fentanyl trafficking
Before the emergence of fentanyl, Mexican cartels relied on opium cultivation to produce heroin. However, this production method required time, resources and the involvement of rural communities. With the arrival of fentanyl, the cartels found a more profitable and less risky alternative. Fentanyl is produced in clandestine laboratories in Mexico, and its production requires less infrastructure and labor. The cartels can then work more discreetly and more easily escape repression operations.
3. The ravages of fentanyl on the American continent
The growing presence of fentanyl on the American market has led to an increase in overdoses and deaths linked to this drug. The consequences are devastating for the families affected by these tragedies, but also for the communities and health services which find themselves overwhelmed by this crisis. American authorities have realized the scale of the problem and are trying to combat fentanyl trafficking by strengthening border security measures and cooperating with Mexican authorities.
Conclusion :
Fentanyl has become a veritable gold mine for Mexican cartels, who have seized the opportunity offered by this powerful and easy-to-produce synthetic drug. The devastation caused by fentanyl in the United States highlights the need to strengthen prevention measures, the fight against trafficking and help for addicted people. Cooperation between the American and Mexican authorities is crucial in trying to stem this crisis which is dramatically affecting many lives.