Today, President Biden has signed a new Executive Order to levy a net of sanctions on hubs of illicit drug trade that contributed to the death of 100’000 Americans from overdose in a year.
15 entities and 10 individuals based in four countries are designated, on grounds of having engaged in the activities that contribute to the proliferation of illicit substances.
Fentanyl traffickers targeted
The sanctions targeted drug trafficking organisations in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and China. The treasury has designated traffickers of fentanyl, and its precursor chemicals as well as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine.
Chinese producers of steroids and fentanyl chemicals sanctioned
Having so far targeted mostly criminal organizations and well-known traffickers of illicit substances, the U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on companies that are known to provide precursor chemicals, and traffic fentanyl and anabolic steroids.
Chuen Fat Yip, a Chinese national who leads the Wuhan Yuancheng Gongchuang Technology Co. Ltd is designated for controlling a group of companies that receive internet orders for compounds and chemicals. Described as “one of, if not the largest, producer of anabolic steroids in the world”, Chuen Fat Yip’s operation accepts virtual currencies as well as transfers from worldwide. The U.S. Department of State has issued a reward offer of $5M for tips leading to the conviction of Chuen Fat Yip.
Shanghai Fast-Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd. and Hebei Huanhao Biotechnology Co., Ltd. & Hebei Atun Trading Co., Ltd. are two other Chinese entities designated for shipping precursor chemicals and pharmaceutical products worldwide, including to DTOs in Mexico.
The Treasury sanctions also targeted various factions, leaders and splinter groups of notorious criminal organizations in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia active in the illicit drug trade.
