The Mexican government has stepped up efforts to combat cartels after Trump threatened Mexico with tariffs, especially over the manufacturing and trafficking of fentanyl using Chinese chemicals.

The fentanyl in his system, he said, is "a pretty clear smoking gun."

Nationwide, CBP seized more than 65,000 pounds of drugs in March, which included 613 pounds of fentanyl. Compared with March 2024, that total amount is 27 percent higher.

Federal authorities are seeing xylazine trafficked into the United States by Mexican cartels, and it’s paired with fentanyl coming from China.

Each defendant has allegedly taken part in a corrupt and violent drug trafficking conspiracy with the Sinaloa cartel to export “massive amounts” of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States from Mexico, according to the department

“This group has shipped deadly fentanyl analogues and other drugs around the globe for a decade.

Soon after, the precursor fentanyl chemicals began showing up in Mexico, where they were then synthesized into fentanyl and trafficked into the United States, he said. ​

“Treasury will continue to target the diverse revenue streams that cartels rely on to sustain their operations, which include trafficking fentanyl and illegal aliens into the United States.”

Early numbers for 2017 indicate the problem is worsening—mostly due to fentanyl.

Quinones told the Herald that the Sinaloa cartel is moving away from its staples, cocaine and heroin because fentanyl offers so many advantages—to a criminal enterprise. Unlike cocaine and heroin, which start as plants, fentanyl is synthetic.

Two-thirds of those who overdosed in 2016 had fentanyl in their system, while half had heroin—some had both, she said.

FBI officials and partners have carried out what they call a “violent gang takedown” in Columbus, Georgia, as part of Operation Sweet Silence, which has resulted in the seizure of more than $20 million worth of methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, and fentanyl

; Tetrahydrofuranyl Fentanyl; Methoxyacetyl Fentanyl.

Singer and musician Prince died of a fentanyl overdose in April 2016 and after musician Tom Petty’s overdose death, fentanyl and oxycodone were found in his system. Fentanyl is used as an anesthetic.

Gift card fraud often funds illicit activities such as fentanyl production and smuggling, illegal immigration, and human trafficking, according to HSI.

But it turned out the powder sold to her was actually fentanyl.

Brownfield said fentanyl was being trafficked by the same organizations moving heroin and other opioids from Mexico into the United States, but emphasized that most of the fentanyl entering the United States originated in China.

Two state-backed companies that marketed the guns never specified which chemical agent would be used as ammunition, but Crowley said it "might very well be fentanyl or an analog of fentanyl."

The RCMP is particularly interested in aspects of the MOU relating to precursors, fentanyl, other illicit drugs in society, and how the RCMP can work collaboratively with China’s Ministry of Public Security “to ensure the safety of Canadians,” Larkin

—Authorities in Massachusetts say a 10-month-old baby had to be revived twice after she was exposed to fentanyl. Police arrived at the Methuen (mih-THOO'-uhn) residence early Saturday afternoon after receiving a report of a child not breathing.

No police deaths have been blamed on fentanyl, but there have been close calls.

Fentanyl has been responsible for a surge in overdose deaths in some parts of the country. When made into counterfeit pills, users don't always know they're taking fentanyl, increasing the risk of fatal overdose.

The success of OSS combined with securing the southern border, “has diminished the flow of fentanyl—a weapon of mass destruction—down 56 percent since the same period last year," Hume said, adding that already by last September, drug overdose deaths had

The investigation of Prince's death was completed on Thursday, June 2, and findings concluded that the "Purple Rain" singer died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, according to the Midwest Medical Examiners Office.

Fentanyl can be mixed with the opioid heroin or sold as heroin. It is 100 times more powerful than morphine, and can increase the danger of an overdose when mixed with the narcotic. 

In California and Chicago, deaths from the powerful opiate fentanyl have risen in recent days.

Kristin Bride (L), mother of Carson Bride, who died by suicide after being bullied online, hugs Amy Neville (R), mother to 14-year-old Alexander Neville, who died from fentanyl poisoning from a pill he purchased on Snapchat, in Washington on June 23,

It's hugely concerning because fentanyl is so incredibly deadly." Fentanyl is often mixed into more expensive drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, to increase their potency. 

They were counterfeits containing fentanyl that were purchased on the street. Fentanyl is an opioid far more powerful than hydrocodone. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl were also found in Prince's home.

AKRON, Ohio—A father and son who apparently overdosed on the powerful narcotic fentanyl have been found dead in Ohio.