Reported by Laura He, CNN

(Summary of original article featured below)

The United States has imposed sanctions on several Chinese and Mexican companies for their involvement in the production and distribution of equipment used to make counterfeit pills, including those laced with fentanyl. The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on seven Chinese entities, six Chinese individuals, one Mexican entity, and three Mexican individuals. These targets are accused of shipping or selling pill press machines and other equipment used to create illicit pills with counterfeit markings, often containing fentanyl and destined for the US market. The US government aims to disrupt the supply chain that fuels the opioid epidemic in America.

The Treasury Department stated that counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl are a leading cause of drug-related deaths, devastating countless American families. The sanctions are part of the US government’s efforts to combat illicit drug production and address the global threat posed by these drugs. The sanctioned entities’ assets are now blocked, and American nationals are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them. One of the Chinese companies targeted, Youli Technology Development, was accused of shipping pill press machinery to individuals involved in counterfeit pill production in the United States. Another Chinese company, Yason General Machinery, allegedly collaborated with a Mexican supplier linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, contributing to the creation of fentanyl-laced superlabs in Mexico.

In response to the sanctions, the Chinese Embassy in the United States criticized the move, stating that the US is the root cause of its drug problems. The embassy expressed concern that the sanctions would hinder China-US counter-narcotics cooperation. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been a major contributor to drug overdose deaths in the United States. In 2021, nearly 70,000 people died from drug overdoses involving fentanyl, marking a significant increase over the past five years. Last month, the Biden administration announced a series of actions to target those involved in the illegal fentanyl trade, particularly originating from Mexico and the supply of chemicals from China.

Read original report: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/05/31/economy/us-sanctions-china-fentanyl-intl-hnk/index.html