Republican legislators are seeking a legal solution to tackle the illicit Fentanyl drug crisis. Lance Gooden, a representative from Texas, has sponsored a bill that proposes a path for lawsuits against those involved in Fentanyl trafficking. The bill, titled the “Justice Against Sponsors of Illicit Fentanyl Act of 2023,” aims to provide the families of victims with a legal means to seek justice and hold accountable those responsible for the crisis.
Additionally, it is hoped that the potential legal consequences would act as a deterrent and reduce the profits of drug trafficking. The primary sources of chemicals used to make illegal Fentanyl are in China, and the drug is then smuggled into Mexico, where it is produced and distributed by drug cartels such as Sinaloa and Jalisco.
According to the Department of Justice, an estimated 200 Americans die every day due to Fentanyl overdose. In comparison, the average daily number of homicides in America is less than 50. Currently, there are no legal consequences for American citizens to pursue against Fentanyl manufacturers.
Republican legislators are advocating for foreign countries such as China and Mexico to be held accountable for their role in contributing to the crisis in America. They argue that these countries should not be exempt from lawsuits, financial damages, or court systems for the harm caused to American citizens through the use of Fentanyl.
Chinese Money Laundering Organizations (CMLOs) and Chinese banks are contributing to the problem of the Fentanyl crisis. Chinese banks are some of the world’s largest financial institutions, and CMLOs facilitate the process of purchasing Fentanyl components, resulting in significant profits for the banks. Meanwhile, the Fentanyl crisis is causing over 100,000 American deaths each year, with just 2 milligrams of the drug being lethal. Between 2022 and 2023, over 14,000 pounds of Fentanyl were seized in America.
