Biden administration announces new measures to combat fentanyl trafficking

The Biden administration is taking decisive action to combat the trafficking of fentanyl, which is considered the deadliest drug in the United States. "Far too many families and communities across the United States are losing their loved ones to opioids," said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Yellen, in a joint effort with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney's Office, announced sanctions against eight top leaders of a Mexican drug cartel. These leaders are responsible for trafficking fentanyl and other drugs into the United States. "Our sanctions will cut off the cartel leaders from their ill-gotten money and make it harder for them to bring deadly fentanyl to our streets," Yellen said. In addition to the sanctions, the Treasury Department is issuing a new advisory for banks. This advisory aims to help financial institutions identify and report transactions made by Mexico-based organizations purchasing Chinese chemicals and equipment used to manufacture fentanyl. "As long as Mexico is not doing what it can to try to wipe out the drug trade, then I think actions like this are going to be relatively ineffective," said Simon Hankinson of The Heritage Foundation. Hankinson, along with other experts, believes these steps may not be sufficient given the magnitude of the crisis. "We're talking about a population the size of our entire losses in the Vietnam War, every single year, from fentanyl," Hankinson said. The opioid epidemic continues to ravage cities across the country. Sheriff Rick Staly of Flagler County, Florida, issued a warning about the dangers of street fentanyl in his community. "You really never know what you're getting, it's like playing Russian Roulette," Staly said. According to the DEA, Mexico and China are the primary sources of fentanyl being brought into the United States.