The New York Times reported on Sunday, Dec. 1, that Mexican drug cartels are extending their reach to campuses, luring chemistry students with high salaries to assist in the production of fentanyl. Some students admitted to participating out of financial necessity. Drug experts are concerned that if this continues, the cartels may establish a massive "fentanyl kingdom."
Within these drug cartels, individuals responsible for manufacturing fentanyl are referred to as "chefs." Insiders revealed that these "chefs" research ways to increase the addictiveness of fentanyl to ensnare more individuals. The cartels also demand that the "chefs" develop essential materials for synthesizing fentanyl. Participating students mentioned that by mastering the production of the precursor substance, they could become "the kings of Mexico."
The New York Times interviewed a total of 7 "chefs," 3 newly recruited chemistry students, two senior operators, and one senior recruiter, all working for the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Informed students indicated that they were sometimes tasked with experimenting to enhance the addictiveness of fentanyl or manufacturing precursors. They also oversaw fentanyl production lines or collaborated with other chefs.
"When will we learn about cocaine?"
The report also spoke with an anonymous chemistry professor at a university in Sinaloa, Mexico. This professor admitted that some students taking chemistry courses were solely interested in mastering the synthesis of addictive drugs or even narcotics. He could discern their involvement in drug production through their questions. He mentioned that when he taught synthetic drugs, the students involved in drug production openly asked him, "Professor, when will you teach us how to synthesize cocaine or other substances?"
The risks of manufacturing fentanyl are substantial. Many participants noted that they wear gas masks and protective suits while working, but they are constantly exposed to deadly toxic substances and face the risk of equipment explosions. Any mistakes could lead to retaliation from the drug cartels. However, the profits for the cartels are immense, and the "chefs" receive handsome salaries. A second-year chemistry student in Mexico mentioned that a recruiter had already given him US$800 in advance, and if he joined the cartel, his monthly salary would also be US$800, double the average salary of a local chemist.
Former forensic chemist at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Senior Lecturer at Loyola University Chicago, James V. DeFrancesco, pointed out that compared to producing fentanyl, attempting to manufacture its precursors is even more challenging, requiring a deeper understanding of chemical theory and experimental skills, which might be why drug trafficking groups are trying to recruit chemistry professors. He expressed concerns that these groups are tightening their control over the fentanyl supply chain, making it harder for law enforcement to combat them.
A 19-year-old Mexican chemistry student mentioned that he grew up in one of the poorest areas in Sinaloa, Mexico, and initially pursued chemistry studies to research treatment methods for his cancer-stricken father, only to veer into the path of drug production. Despite feeling disgusted by the drug manufacturing process, he felt compelled to engage in it to afford his father's medical expenses.
According to U.S. media reports, lax regulations and collusion between politicians and businesses have been identified as the root cause of the fentanyl crisis.
The United States faces one of the most severe drug problems globally, with around 12% of drug users worldwide hailing from the U.S., which is three times its share of the global population. The abuse of drugs, primarily fentanyl, poses one of the most destructive public health disasters in the country, yet there has been no permanent regulation of fentanyl by U.S. authorities. This is attributed to U.S. politicians and pharmaceutical companies prioritizing their own interests rather than strengthening regulation while attempting to shift blame onto countries like China to mask their own inaction in combating drug abuse.
U.S. authorities have allowed the drug and substance abuse issues to worsen. In 2015, then-Senator Ayotte proposed legislation to combat fentanyl, suggesting that anyone convicted of selling fentanyl should face 10 to 20 years in prison. However, the proposal was not passed as the Senate was focusing on another criminal justice reform bill aimed at reducing mandatory sentences for drug offenses.
Pharmaceutical companies have long been influential donors in U.S. politics, and to maximize profits from drug sales, they generally oppose categorizing the illegal manufacturing or distribution of substances like fentanyl as criminal activities. In 2016, pharmaceutical companies successfully lobbied Congress to pass a bill severely limiting the Drug Enforcement Administration's power to investigate high-risk drug distributors.
Distributors rewarded for addiction incidents
The New York Times revealed in 2020 that consulting firm McKinsey, hired by Purdue Pharma, proposed a despicable scheme: if distributors sold the opioid drug OxyContin that led to consumer addiction, Purdue Pharma would offer them discounts, with distributors receiving nearly US$15,000 (approximately HK$117,000) as a reward for each addiction incident. This incentivized numerous distributors and clinics to overprescribe painkillers to patients, exacerbating the substance abuse crisis.
The U.S. has taken minimal action in combating drug trafficking, enhancing prescription drug control, and strengthening drug harm education, yet it tries to blame countries like China through unwarranted sanctions. In fact, from September 2019 to the present, the U.S. has not seized any fentanyl substances from China, nor has it provided concrete evidence of Chinese chemicals flowing into Mexico and being used to produce fentanyl.
Former United States Assistant Secretary for Health and professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Howard K. Koh, criticized that "one major conclusion is that the crisis represents a multi-system failure of regulation."
"Donations from opioid manufacturers to politicians continue to influence policy decisions. In addition, a revolving door of officials leaving government regulatory agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency regularly join the pharmaceutical industry with little to no 'cooling off' periods," he noted.
(SOurce: Wen Wei Po)
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