China Is Funding America’s Fentanyl Crisis: Congressional Report

Photo: DEA.gov

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – The Chinese Communist Party uses tax rebates to subsidize the manufacturing and export of fentanyl materials, a House panel which has Rep.Raja Krishnamoorthi as a ranking members, said in a report released on April 16.

The House Select Committee on China pointed to findings indicating that China plays a key role in the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., NBC News reported. Officials have identified China as the main source of the key ingredients drug cartels in Mexico use to synthesize fentanyl.

“Through subsidies, grants, and other incentives, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) harms Americans while enriching PRC companies,” the report says.

The committee said in its report it has “found no evidence of new criminal enforcement actions” to curb the flow of fentanyl chemicals into the U.S.

“This failure — when combined with new evidence establishing the PRC incentivizing the export of illegal drugs abroad and ownership stake in companies doing the same — casts doubt on the veracity of the PRC’s claims that it will act to stem the massive export of illicit fentanyl materials and other dangerous synthetic narcotics and reinforces the need for global cooperation and communication between law enforcement agencies,” the report says.

The panel had launched an investigation into China’s role in the fentanyl crisis, which included, according to its report, examining public Chinese websites, analyzing government documents, and identifying narcotics sales online.

One suggestion the report makes is for the establishment of a joint task force to counter opioids that would focus on targeting the weaknesses in the global illicit fentanyl supply chain, along with sanctions and other security measures.