The United States has discovered that in addition to Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador are also participating in the production or trafficking of fentanyl, Todd Robinson, head of the State Department’s anti-narcotics division, explained on Tuesday.

“Mexico is the main entry point, but we know that there are other countries participating in the supply chain, such as Colombia and Ecuador. There are also suppliers in Asia. There are several points that affect the United States,” he said.

The anti-narcotics chief emphasized that the production chain of this powerful synthetic opioid, which has caused thousands of deaths in the United States, begins in China, where the chemicals used to make the drug are marketed.

These precursors They reach America, mainly from Mexican cartelsthat produce fentanyl and ship it to U.S. territory, he added.

Robinson made these statements in New York, where he took part in an event of the Global Coalition Against Synthetic Drugs, hosted by the United States on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Strengthen the Colombian plan

On the other hand, the head of the anti-narcotics department said the United States is “analyzing” Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s new anti-drug plan, which seeks to stop prosecuting small coca leaf growers and targeting drug trafficking organizations.

The official said the Colombian government “has not ignored” crop eradication, despite plantations reaching record numbers, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

But he conceded that the United States and Colombia could still “do more” on drug seizures.

“The Colombian government wants to provide greater security to the citizens of Colombia’s rural areas and we want to help with that,” Robinson said. (JO)