FBI Chief Calls on Mexico for Stronger Action Against Fentanyl Trafficking at Border

FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed regret over the "uneven" support that Mexico has provided to U.S. authorities to help fentanyl trafficking, stating that the United States needs "much, much more" help from south of the border.

Wray testified before a House Appropriations Subcommittee where he advocated for greater cooperation on various issues, stating that the United States needs "much, much more" help from south of the border.

During his testimony, Wray assured that while in recent years both governments have had joint successes in the fight against narcotics, the problem of trafficking illegal drugs, mainly fentanyl, is so large that it requires equally large efforts.

"There are individual cases that are bright spots (of cooperation with Mexico)", said Wray. "But this is such a big problem. We need consistent, sustained, and scalable assistance from them (the Mexicans)."

"The reality is that especially the two main cartels, (the Sinaloa Cartel) and the CJNG (Jalisco New Generation Cartel) are the cause of most of the things we are addressing here", explained Wray. "And we need the Mexican government to do more."

Fentanyl has become a major issue in the upcoming presidential elections in the U.S., as the country has seen a tragic increase in overdose deaths from it and other drugs that have been associated with it. A record 76,000 Americans died after ingesting synthetic opioids in 2022, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

According to the FBI director, the agency has about 400 active investigations against the leadership of the Mexican cartels inside the United States, of which 88 are based in the judicial districts of the border with Mexico, the main drug trafficking corridor to the United States.