The head of Mexico’s Criminal Investigation Agency recently admitted that Mexico has become a major producer of fentanyl, contradicting previous statements by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. While the President had previously denied fentanyl production in Mexico, Felipe de Jesus Gallo confirmed that Mexico has been leading in methamphetamine and fentanyl production since the 1990s.
Although fentanyl abuse is not prevalent in Mexico, methamphetamine addiction is widespread. Gallo highlighted that Mexican cartels have expanded their methamphetamine production to an industrial scale, with labs now operating in various states across the country. This shift has enabled Mexican cartels to export methamphetamine globally, reaching destinations as far as Hong Kong and Australia.
Gallo emphasized the evolution of drug production methods, noting that cartels have adopted innovative business models to avoid detection of their drug money. These tactics include bartering precursor chemicals for methamphetamine to circumvent financial trails.
The once rudimentary drug labs hidden in the mountains of Sinaloa have given way to sophisticated operations in states like Hidalgo, Puebla, and Jalisco. The lucrative nature of the meth trade has prompted cartels to modernize their production processes and expand their reach beyond Mexico’s borders.
Despite the challenges posed by drug production at an industrial scale, Mexican authorities are actively working to combat the issue. The acknowledgment of Mexico's role in fentanyl and methamphetamine production underscores the need for continued efforts to address drug trafficking and substance abuse within the country.
