A recent investigation by The New York Times claims that the Sinaloa Cartel has infiltrated Mexican universities to recruit chemistry students for the production of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid wreaking havoc across the United States. According to the report, cartel members pose as custodians to lure high-performing students with promises of substantial financial rewards. These allegations have sparked controversy and denials from Mexican authorities.

President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed the claims, likening them to plotlines from the US series Breaking Bad. During a press briefing, she questioned the investigation’s credibility, stating, “We have no evidence of this happening in Mexico. This sounds more like fiction than fact.” Sheinbaum redirected the focus to the pharmaceutical industry in the United States, holding it accountable for the opioid crisis that has escalated fentanyl consumption across the border.

While fentanyl usage in Mexico remains relatively low compared to the US, the drug's high potency and lethality pose significant risks. Official figures from 2023 show a rise in local cases, primarily in northern states such as Baja California and Chihuahua. However, the demand for opioid treatment in Mexico represents just 1.8% of addiction cases, far behind amphetamine-type stimulants, which dominate drug treatment statistics.

The DEA has reported in 2020 that Mexican cartels, particularly the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels, are leading the trafficking of fentanyl into the US. These organisations operate a network of clandestine labs, sourcing precursors from countries like India and China. They smuggle low-concentration, high-volume fentanyl shipments across the border, often disguised as legitimate goods, and produce counterfeit pills with lethal doses.

A 2023 Reuters report claimed the rise of e-commerce has unintentionally facilitated the trafficking of fentanyl precursors from China to Mexico, with the United States acting as a key transit point. In fact, a 2016 US trade law increased duty-free import thresholds, enabling millions of small packages to enter the country with minimal inspection. These shipments, often disguised as ordinary goods, are exploited by Mexican cartels. Once in Mexico, cartels synthesise fentanyl and smuggle it back into the US, contributing to a severe opioid crisis

Fentanyl deaths in the US have skyrocketed, with almost 75,000 estimated fatalities in 2023—more than double those in 2019. Seizures at borders reflect the crisis, with 2,200 pounds confiscated in September 2024 alone, totalling 16,565 pounds from January to September. The DEA attributes this surge to fentanyl being manufactured abroad and smuggled into the country.

In response to growing concerns, the Mexican Congress recently approved constitutional reforms aimed at tackling fentanyl-related crimes. The updated Article 19 now mandates pretrial detention for offences linked to the illegal production, trafficking, and distribution of synthetic drugs, including fentanyl. Lawmakers argue that these measures are essential to counter organised crime and prevent offenders from evading justice.

Despite these domestic actions, tensions between the US and Mexico persist. Washington continues to pressure Mexico to curb the flow of fentanyl, often overlooking the root causes of its own public health crisis. Mexican officials have stressed the need for a trilateral approach involving the US, Mexico, and Canada to address both supply and demand issues.

While Mexico grapples with trafficking networks, the United States faces an overwhelming consumption problem, largely stemming from a decade-long trend of indiscriminate opioid prescriptions – something many blame on profit-driven pharmaceutical companies. The opioid epidemic has claimed thousands of lives, with fentanyl-related deaths rapidly increasing in recent years. Collaborative solutions remain crucial, yet the burden cannot rest solely on Mexico.