Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically for pain relief, but it is also commonly abused recreationally. While fentanyl can be obtained through legitimate medical channels with a prescription, there are unfortunately illegal ways to acquire this drug, such as purchasing it from overseas suppliers.
But this latest crisis is merely the visible tip of the iceberg of how Mexico has eviscerated counternarcotics and law enforcement cooperation with the United States during the López Obrador administration. When President López Obrador assumed office in December 2018, he started systematically weakening that collaboration. From the beginning of his administration, he has sought to withdraw from the Merida Initiative, the U.S.-Mexico security collaboration framework signed during the Felipe Calderón administration. And he sought to redefine the collaboration extremely narrowly as merely U.S. assistance to Mexico in reducing demand for drugs in Mexico while the United States focused on stopping the flow of drug proceeds and weapons to Mexico and reducing demand at home. Previous Mexican governments also certainly sought a significant increase in U.S. law enforcement focus on those two types of illicit flows, but were willing to collaborate also inside Mexico.
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Understanding the Risks
Our report, featured on CBS Money Watch, the Hill, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere, made the case that ineffective money laundering controls make it easier and cheaper to traffic opioids. “China remains the primary source of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked through international mail and express consignment operations environment, as well as the main source for all fentanyl-related substances trafficked into the United States,” the DEA report says. “I think we can take China at its word that it has gone about banning all of the fentanyl analogues, the fentanyl-like drugs. Now, doing that on paper is one thing, but the enforcement is the part where China has really lagged,” he said. In 2021, the number of drug overdose deaths in the United States surpassed 100,000. Illicit fentanyl accounted for over 64,000 of those deaths, which has doubled since 2019.
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It is important to note that buying fentanyl from China or any other overseas source is highly dangerous and illegal. Not only is the quality and purity of the drug uncertain, but there is also a high risk of contamination or adulteration that could lead to overdose or death.
Is Oxycontin still available?
Oxycodone is only available on prescription. It comes as slow-release tablets, standard tablets and capsules, and a liquid that you swallow.
Steps to Purchase Fentanyl from China
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Despite the risks involved, some individuals may still attempt to purchase fentanyl from China due to its lower cost compared to buying it domestically. Here are some steps that people might take to buy fentanyl from China:
- Research Suppliers: Individuals may search online for Chinese suppliers who claim to sell fentanyl or other illicit drugs. These suppliers often operate on the dark web or through encrypted messaging apps.
- Place an Order: Once a supplier is identified, buyers may contact them to place an order for fentanyl. Payment is typically made using cryptocurrency to maintain anonymity.
- Receive the Package: The fentanyl is then shipped from China to the buyer’s location. The packaging may be discreet to avoid detection by customs officials.
- Consume the Drug: Upon receiving the package, the buyer may consume the fentanyl by taking it orally, snorting it, or injecting it. However, it is crucial to remember the dangers associated with using illicitly sourced fentanyl.
Trone said “99 percent of the fentanyl is coming from precursor drugs from China, and then it’s manufactured by two cartels, the Jalisco and Sinaloa Cartels, and they’re the ones that are bringing it across the border,” adding that it’s important to stop it from the source. Those who analysed the website were able to find sellers willing to ship fentanyl and other substances. The drug appeared frequently on the website over the period analysed and, as well as fentanyl, Weiku also hosted people selling bromadol, which is estimated to be five times the strength of fentanyl. One seller of this drug on the website produced a US certificate for a dog examination in lieu of a business licence. More than 100,000 people died from drug overdose deaths in the US in 2022, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), including an estimated 82,998 opioid-involved drug overdose deaths. Moreover, these types of public-private partnerships are not common in China and could pose difficulties both for the government and industries.
The latest move means almost a quarter of Schengen states have enacted border controls, thereby reversing the policy’s primary purpose of providing a visa-free zone among the 27 states. This association between on-chain flows and off-chain interdiction data aligns with the basic flow pattern illustrated by the DEA, and suggests that on-chain data can be a powerful early warning indicator for those combating fentanyl trafficking. “It’s not as simple as saying, ‘China, stop producing and exporting these chemicals’. There are several sides to this issue. In response, China, for example, could counter with, ‘Americans, stop buying and using drugs,'” said Luckey.
It is important to emphasize that buying fentanyl from China or any other illegal source is not only risky but also contributes to the ongoing opioid crisis. Seeking help for opioid addiction through legitimate channels, such as rehab centers and support groups, is crucial for those struggling with substance abuse.
Ultimately, the best way to protect oneself from the dangers of fentanyl is to avoid using it altogether and seek help if already struggling with addiction.
How is fentanyl best absorbed?
Fentanyl used in a transdermal patch is absorbed first by the skin, then taken up into the cutaneous microcirculation, before entering the systemic circulation. The rapid‐onset fentanyl products are absorbed by the highly vascularized oromucosal and nasal membranes before entering the systemic circulation.
Who created Oxycontin?
All three of the original Sackler brothers who bought Purdue and ultimately developed oxycontin were physicians. At the peak of their sales and marketing, Purdue hired 3,000 doctors to serve on their speakers bureau—a fact which certainly does not reflect well on the medical profession.
