DEA reports Mexican cartels dominate US fentanyl market by eliminating competition

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a report revealing that two powerful Mexican drug cartels, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels, are dominating the illicit drug market in all 50 states of the U.S. These cartels have not only infiltrated states along the southern border but have also eliminated competition by taking over major distribution networks.

The report highlights the alarming statistics of 200 U.S. deaths linked to fentanyl each day and 38,000 deaths in the first six months of 2023 alone. The cartels have expanded their operations to unexpected places like Mississippi, Montana, and Wyoming, showing their strong foothold in the country.

Both cartels rely on major drug wholesalers and established trafficking routes to distribute drugs in major U.S. cities. They also use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to reach users on the streets and in schools.

The Sinaloa cartel is credited with pioneering the fentanyl trade in the U.S., while the Jalisco cartel relies on vast financial resources and violence to operate. The DEA is cracking down on these cartels through enforcement initiatives like Operation Overdrive and Operation OD Justice, resulting in thousands of arrests and seizures of millions of fentanyl pills and other drugs.

Former U.S. Marshal Robert Almonte emphasized the need for more federal funding to combat the fentanyl crisis and keep the pressure on Mexican cartels. While the cartels may not be eliminated entirely, efforts to disrupt their operations and make them less comfortable in the U.S. are crucial in the fight against illicit drugs.