The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series Why There's No Fentanyl in Easter Eggs This Year || Peter Zeihan
Apr 27, 2025
Explore the escalating U.S. efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis, zeroing in on the notorious La Familia Michoacana cartel. Discover the intricate challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling synthetic drug trafficking. Dive into the political strategies employed during the Trump administration aimed at addressing this urgent public health threat. Get an insightful look at the surprising absence of fentanyl in unexpected places this season.
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Challenges of Fighting Fentanyl
- Fentanyl production is difficult to control due to its synthetic nature and small-scale laboratory production.
- Traditional law enforcement approaches are mostly ineffective against widespread, distributed drug labs.
New Shipping Law Restricts Precursors
- Closing the de minimis shipping exception limits precursor chemicals from India and China.
- This measure complicates fentanyl production but does not completely solve the problem.
Unique Power of La Familia Michoacana
- La Familia Michoacana cartel uniquely operates industrial-scale fentanyl production at Mexico's largest Pacific port.
- Their control over raw materials makes them a powerful state-like actor difficult to dislodge.