US says Mexican cartels 'unleashed' fentanyl crisis 'on purpose'

WASHINGTON

Mexican drug cartels have intentionally unleashed a "horrible epidemic" of fentanyl overdose deaths on the US, Attorney General Merrick Garland told senators Wednesday.

"It's an epidemic that has been unleashed on purpose by the Sinaloa and New Generation Jalisco cartels," Garland said during congressional testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. "We are focusing on fentanyl with enormous urgency."

Among efforts being undertaken by the Biden administration are actions to prevent fentanyl components from being sent to illicit actors in Mexico, operations to capture drug labs and extraditions of cartel leaders, said Garland, noting that he has traveled to Mexico twice to personally address the issue with senior officials there "to get greater cooperation."

Sen. Lindsey Graham said fentanyl-related deaths account for more fatalities than gun and car accident deaths combined and asked Garland if he would oppose the designation of drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

"I wouldn't oppose it, but again, I want to point out: there are diplomatic concerns. We need the assistance of Mexico with this," said Garland, adding the Mexican government is "helping us, but they could do much more. There's no question about that."

The hearing comes after the Biden administration took several actions in the last two weeks to crack down on the cartels' activities.

The Treasury Department last week sanctioned six Sinaloa Cartel members and six Mexico-based entities involved in the illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine and fentanyl. And Tuesday, it sanctioned a Mexican arms trafficker for supplying US-sourced weapons to the New Generation Jalisco cartel.

The Justice Department is further seeking the extradition of Ovidio Guzman, the son of infamous drug trafficker "El Chapo," who was arrested for a second time in Mexico in January. He was initially arrested in 2019 but released on orders from President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador after gunmen seeking his release attacked civilians in the state of Culiacan, leaving dozens dead.