Understanding the Risks and Challenges
For example, the singer-songwriter Prince overdosed after ingesting a counterfeit tablet that contained fentanyl as well as a novel synthetic opioid not structurally related to fentanyl. The invention of the hypodermic needle and synthesis of heroin in the 19th century forever changed the opiate landscape. The arrival of cheap, accessible, and mass-produced synthetic opioids might do the same. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 500,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in the decade ending in 2017 — increasingly, from synthetic opioids like the ones sold by the Xingtai network. According to the DEA, fentanyl precursor chemicals are smuggled from China directly into Mexico as well as indirectly via the United States.
Still, this new Senate report reveals in stunning detail just how easy it is to order some of the most potent opioids available from the other side of the world. They’re both extremely addictive and they both sort of satisfy the same cravings; but the problem with fentanyl is that it’s just much more likely to make you overdose and die. We’re even seeing cases where ecstasy pills taken by ravers now sometimes have fentanyl.
Buying fentanyl from any source, especially internationally, involves considerable risks and legal challenges. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that has a high potential for abuse and can lead to severe health issues, including overdoses. It is crucial to be well-informed before considering any transaction.
Legal Considerations
Before exploring the process of how to buy fentanyl from China, it is essential to understand the legal implications.
The White House says seizures of fentanyl shipments from China to the U.S. dropped significantly after Beijing issued a similar notice in 2019. Three indictments were unsealed in the Southern District of Florida charging three Chinese companies and four officers and employees with fentanyl trafficking, synthetic opioid trafficking, precursor chemical importation, defrauding the U.S. The successful bust won international praise but also drew attention to how easily synthetic opioids can be manufactured in small, clandestine spaces with rudimentary equipment. “Currently, there is basically no information related to the illegal sales of fentanyl-class chemicals on websites within Chinese borders or pharmaceutical and chemical platforms,” China’s National Narcotics Control Commission said in a statement to NPR. “But due to the openness, anonymity, convenience, cross-border nature of the Internet, any country would have a difficult time completely eradicating illegal information.” Others are so new they are not yet banned, are harder to detect and regulate, and they can be used in basic chemical processes to produce illegal drugs.
However, particularly if in the future the replacement networks were not Chinese, the U.S. law enforcement challenges could diminish. China has previously resorted to both.56 Moreover, many unscrupulous sellers are likely to sell their precursors or finished synthetic drugs to drug traffickers abroad, such as the Mexican groups, instead of directly into the United States. In practice, however, the Mexican government actions and cooperations on its side of the U.S.-Mexico border remain profoundly inadequate, including and particularly in law enforcement actions to counter the Mexican criminal groups and their production and trafficking of fentanyl. The most prominent case of prosecution and sentencing of fentanyl traffickers in China resulted in the conviction of nine Chinese nationals for drug trafficking in Hebei province. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provided their Chinese counterparts with its intelligence that led to the arrests.39 U.S. officials were invited to the sentencing.
- Controlled Substance: Fentanyl is classified as a controlled substance in many countries, including the United States.
- International Law: Purchasing fentanyl from abroad may violate international drug laws.
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in illegal drug purchases can result in severe penalties, including arrest and incarceration.
And they judged that counternarcotics cooperation was one fruitful aspect – one fruitful venue to stabilize the relationship. “Delaespada is a career criminal who sold illegal guns, including an assault-type rifle, near a school, a church and on bustling streets in the heart of Brooklyn, without regard for… Given China’s own history combating drug use, their government should be empathetic with the acute challenges the U.S. is facing amid this epidemic. But so far, they haven’t been too interested in helping, saying that because China doesn’t have a domestic drug issue, they shouldn’t be expected to help other countries with theirs.
A Jilin Tely Import & Export Co. saleswoman offered carfentanil for $3,800 a kilogram, but wrote, with an apologetic happy face, that she couldn’t ship acetylfentanyl because it “is regulated by the government now.” At least six Chinese companies offering versions of fentanyl, including carfentanil, had IP addresses in the United States, hosted at U.S. commercial web providers, the AP found. This fiscal year, through just mid-July, they have seized 134.1 kilograms, according to U.S. A new report from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) marks the agency’s most recent attempt to call attention to the problem of fentanyls, a category of drugs that authorities say is contributing to severe opioid abuse issues in the world’s largest drug market. Bags of heroin, some laced with fentanyl, picked up in a 2016 New York City drug bust.
Identifying Sources
While there are numerous online platforms claiming to sell fentanyl, caution is advised. Considerations include:
- Research Suppliers: Read reviews and check for legitimate business practices.
- Verify Licenses: Ensure the supplier is licensed to sell pharmaceuticals.
- Contact Information: Legitimate suppliers should have verifiable contact information and address.
Payment Methods
If one were to engage in the purchase process, they might encounter various payment options:
- Cryptocurrency: Often preferred for its anonymity but comes with risks of fraud.
- Wire Transfers: Commonly used but not always secure.
- Credit Cards: May be available, but using them can expose sensitive information.
Shipping and Delivery
Consider the following when it comes to receiving fentanyl:
- Customs Risks: International shipments may be intercepted by customs.
- Shipping Methods: Choose methods that offer tracking and insurance.
- Packaging: Ensure that the drug is packaged discreetly to avoid attention.
Other Government Sites
- The Chinese nationals are the first manufacturers and distributors of fentanyl and other opiate substances to be designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOTs).
- More than 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year, and a growing number of those deaths are attributed to the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl.
- Carfentanil—whose median October price from the companies below was $3,700 per kilogram (2.2 pounds) —is banned from general use in the United States, where it is suspected in hundreds of overdoses .
- “Basically, it’s so cheap to produce and it’s so powerful, that drug dealers began realizing it was a way to increase their profits,” Westoff says.
Health Risks
Even if one manages to procure fentanyl, the health risks are substantial:
- Overdose Potential: Fentanyl is extremely potent, significantly increasing overdose risks.
- Quality Control: There is no guarantee of quality, which can lead to dangerous impurities.
- Dependency and Addiction: Fentanyl use can quickly lead to physical and psychological dependency.
FAQs
Is it legal to buy fentanyl from China?
No, buying fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in many jurisdictions.
What are the consequences of purchasing fentanyl illegally?
Consequences may include criminal charges, fines, and imprisonment.
How can one safely manage pain without illegal drugs?
Consult a licensed healthcare provider for safe and legal pain management options.
What should I do if I or someone I know is addicted to opioids?
Seek professional help from addiction specialists or treatment centers immediately.
Engaging in the purchase of substances like fentanyl from questionable sources poses serious legal and health risks. It is highly recommended to seek legal and health alternatives instead.