China’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Saturday, calling on the U.S. to halt the use of fentanyl-related justifications for sanctioning and prosecuting Chinese companies and citizens. The ministry also demanded the immediate release of individuals who were allegedly “illegally arrested.”
This plea comes after the U.S. Justice Department filed criminal charges against four Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and eight individuals for their alleged involvement in the illegal trafficking of chemicals used in the production of fentanyl.
These indictments represent the first time the U.S. has sought to prosecute Chinese companies responsible for manufacturing precursor chemicals used in the production of the highly addictive painkiller, fentanyl. In response, China criticized the U.S., urging them to stop attributing blame and engaging in smear attacks. The Chinese embassy spokesperson expressed concerns about the implications of such “long-arm jurisdiction” on China-U.S. counter-narcotics cooperation.
Antony Blinken’s recent visit to China aimed to emphasize the need for increased Chinese cooperation to combat the flow of fentanyl. However, despite efforts to stabilize tensions, the atmosphere soured again after U.S. President Joe Biden referred to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator.
The indicted companies are accused of selling precursor chemicals to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, which has contributed to the influx of fentanyl in the U.S. One of the indictments unsealed in Manhattan targeted the China-based Hubei Amarvel Biotech and its executives, Qingzhou Wang, Yiyi Chen, and Fnu Lnu (also known as Er Yang). The charges include fentanyl trafficking, precursor chemical importation, and money laundering offenses. Additionally, two more indictments were unsealed in the Eastern District of New York, involving three other Chinese companies and individuals accused of conspiring to manufacture and distribute fentanyl. Prosecutors revealed that these companies utilized social media platforms to advertise precursor chemicals, employing false customs forms and mislabeled packages for shipping.
Prior to these developments, the Justice Department had already charged Sinaloa cartel leaders, including three sons of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, for running a fentanyl trafficking operation facilitated by Chinese chemical companies. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized the significance of these cases, as they aim to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain at its source. Fentanyl’s potency and synthetic nature pose a significant threat to public health.
In addition, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced plans to convene a virtual ministerial meeting on July 7, with the goal of launching a Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. This coalition aims to unite countries and international organizations in a collaborative effort to prevent the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs and respond effectively to emerging drug trends.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, undercover agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) posing as fentanyl manufacturers engaged in discussions with Wang and Chen, resulting in an agreement to purchase 210 kg of fentanyl precursors using cryptocurrency. The DEA successfully retrieved the chemicals from a warehouse in Los Angeles in May.
Wang and Chen were subsequently arrested by DEA agents on June 8 and are currently detained in Honolulu, Hawaii. They are expected to be transported to New York to appear before the judge handling the case. Meanwhile, Yang, another individual implicated in the case, remains at large.
