President Donald Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, broadening the U.S. government’s authority to combat the opioid crisis. This designation allows the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to deploy tools typically used against weapons proliferation to combat drug traffickers. The move follows Trump’s earlier designation of drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, leading to military strikes against suspected drug vessels. While the administration claims these actions are necessary, critics, including legal experts, question their legality and call for congressional oversight.
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The US military conducted strikes on three boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. These attacks, targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling and linked to “designated terrorist organizations,” were justified by the US President as an escalation to combat drug trafficking. The strikes are drawing increased scrutiny from lawmakers, especially given the rising death toll and the recent designation of fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction,” which has expanded government authority.
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Tabitha Bundrick has been indicted on multiple counts of murder, robbery, burglary, and assault for allegedly drugging and robbing four men, three of whom died. According to prosecutors, Bundrick lured the men with the pretense of sex and then offered them fentanyl-laced drugs, leading to the deaths. Bundrick allegedly targeted her victims in various locations between 2023 and 2024, stealing cash, phones, and other belongings. Bundrick has pleaded not guilty to the new charges, despite previously pleading guilty to federal drug-related charges for the same incidents and receiving a 156-month prison sentence.
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Qingzhou Wang, principal executive of Amarvel Biotech, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States. Along with marketing manager Yiyi Chen, they were convicted in New York of precursor importation and money laundering. The defendants were part of a group of eight Chinese nationals and four Chinese companies charged in June 2023. This case marked the first time the US charged Chinese companies with trafficking these chemicals directly into the US, rather than shipping them to Mexico.
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Senior administration officials have affirmed that the threat of a military strike on Mexico is not a negotiation tactic but rather a serious consideration contingent on significant changes. Trump and Republican leaders have previously expressed interest in invading Mexico, primarily due to concerns about fentanyl and drug trafficking. Despite this, Mexico has shown resistance, with President Sheinbaum rejecting the idea of U.S. troops entering the country. However, Mexico did recently extradite numerous alleged cartel members to the United States.
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Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Canadian goods to 35 percent, Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed disappointment. The Canadian government remains committed to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, though some sectors, including lumber, steel, and automobiles, are heavily impacted. Trump cited Canada’s lack of cooperation on border security and retaliatory measures as justification for the increase. Despite ongoing negotiations, the situation raises concerns about the future of the Canadian economy.
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In response to President Trump’s threat to impose a 35 percent tariff on Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed to defend Canadian economic interests. Trump’s letter, published on Truth Social, accused Canada of financially retaliating against the United States due to the fentanyl crisis. The economic implications of these tariffs could be severe, given that Canada exports a significant portion of its goods to the U.S. Negotiations are ongoing, with a deadline of August 1st, and Canada has threatened countermeasures if the tariffs are enacted.
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Operation Blizzard, a month-long CBSA operation targeting drug trafficking, resulted in over 2,600 seizures nationwide. A significant majority (67%) of seized drugs originated in the U.S., while a much smaller percentage (17.5%) was destined for the U.S. The operation yielded 1.73 kg of fentanyl, with the majority bound for the U.S. The initiative, part of a broader border security plan, underscores the ongoing efforts to combat the flow of illicit drugs across the Canada-U.S. border.
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Despite increased Mexican cooperation in combating drug cartels, including Operation Frontera’s success in seizing significant quantities of fentanyl, the Trump administration is exploring unilateral military action in Mexico. This consideration includes potential drone strikes, a move that has not been ruled out and would mark the first such action since 1914. However, this approach faces strong criticism, with experts warning of potential damage to U.S.-Mexico relations and arguing that a multi-faceted, collaborative approach is more effective than solely military intervention. The Crisis Group highlights the risk of such actions provoking a negative response from the Mexican government, potentially halting cooperation and undermining efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking.
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John Q. Hosedrinker