Trump effect? Mexico makes largest fentanyl bust ever
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WASHINGTON - Mexican soldiers and marines have made the country’s largest fentanyl seizure, confiscating over a ton of the deadly synthetic opioid during two raids in Sinaloa. The timing has raised questions about U.S. influence, particularly after President-elect Donald Trump’s threats of steep tariffs unless Mexico curbs drug and migrant flows.
"This is an investigation that had been going on for some time, and yesterday it bore fruit," said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Public Safety Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch called the bust historic, with about 2,410 pounds of fentanyl discovered in homes near the Sinaloa cartel’s stronghold.
Analysts link bust to Trump’s pressure
Some analysts suggest the operation may have been accelerated by Trump’s recent comments about imposing 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods without stronger drug enforcement.
"It is clear that the Mexican government has been managing the timing of fentanyl seizures," security analyst David Saucedo told the Associated Press. "But under the pressure by Donald Trump, it appears President Sheinbaum’s administration is willing to increase enforcement to meet Washington’s demands."
Saucedo added that Mexico has historically viewed fentanyl as a U.S. problem, with enforcement efforts often tied to external pressure.
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Fentanyl’s deadly toll and ongoing challenges
The synthetic opioid accounts for about 70,000 overdose deaths annually in the U.S., with most smuggled across the border as counterfeit pills made in Mexican labs. Experts praised the bust but warned it would have limited long-term impact without targeting production facilities.
"If they don’t dismantle the labs, this kind of production will continue," Saucedo said.
The operation stands in stark contrast to earlier enforcement figures, with Mexico seizing only 286 pounds of fentanyl nationwide in the first half of 2024 — a 94% drop from 2023.
As Trump prepares for his second term, the bust highlights the evolving dynamics between U.S. and Mexican authorities, signaling both a short-term response to U.S. pressure and the enduring challenges of addressing fentanyl production.
The Source:
This story is based on reporting by the Associated Press. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
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