Universal Intelligence

The quick n dirty.

Fentanyl has been receiving a lot of media coverage lately. It is a synthetic opioid that requires minimal chemicals for its production; however, semi-industrial-grade equipment is needed to manufacture it. The precursor chemicals for fentanyl are usually sourced from companies in China and India, and payments are often made through cryptocurrency. The issue arises because what the United States considers a precursor chemical and what China or India defines them as are different. This discrepancy contributes to the unregulated precursor chemical shipments, mainly to Mexico.

Moreover, Mexico has different standards regarding precursor chemicals, and all three nations also have different definitions of a pill press machine and varying regulations regarding cryptocurrency. Lastly, Mexico refuses to acknowledge the domestic production of fentanyl and lacks the equipment, training, and funding to detect or regulate fentanyl-related production and shipment. For instance, Mexico may receive intelligence from the U.S. regarding a consignment of precursor chemicals from India; however, Mexico lacks the trained personnel and equipment at ports to detain or scan suspected shipping containers or vessels. Therefore, to solve the fentanyl crisis, it is necessary to engage our international partners on a diplomatic and legislative level to have a holistic approach against the synthetic opioid.