U.S. officials claim PM Mark Carney has minimized Canada’s substantial involvement in the global fentanyl trade during conversations with senior U.S. officials.

By Bureau News

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In Brief by Probe International

Chinese and Mexican cartel networks are increasingly using Vancouver as a key hub for fentanyl shipments, routing container loads of deadly pills and precursor chemicals from Mazatlán, Mexico, to the western United States and Asia-Pacific markets.

U.S. officials allege that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has downplayed Canada’s significant role in the global fentanyl trade during discussions with senior U.S. officials.

A U.S. investigator involved in a global fentanyl investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Bureau, claims containers filled with fentanyl are being shipped to Vancouver to disguise their origins, allowing cartels to exploit Canada’s trusted trade status. This alarming trend follows a massive seizure of precursor chemicals in Vancouver, highlighting vulnerabilities in Canada’s port security and inspection processes. [See: B.C.’s Ports Remain Open to Criminals]

The investigator suggests that the fentanyl crisis is escalating, with U.S. officials warning that Canada is becoming a major player in the production and export of fentanyl, despite the RCMP’s claims to the contrary. The potential for industrial-scale production in clandestine labs across Canada raises serious concerns about the implications for North American and Australasian markets.

As the U.S. intensifies its crackdown on synthetic narcotics, the shift in trafficking routes to Canada underscores a growing threat, with the Chinese Communist Party-linked networks adapting to evade law enforcement efforts. The situation is further complicated by Canada’s recent acknowledgment of its role in the fentanyl crisis, as officials seek collaboration with China to combat the flow of precursor chemicals. This evolving landscape poses a dire challenge in the fight against the opioid epidemic, with the stakes higher than ever.