Fentanyl In Canada: Who's Making It, And How Are They Profitting?
Jan 23, 2025
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Sam Cooper, an investigative journalist and founder of The Bureau, delves into the dark underbelly of Canada's fentanyl crisis. He reveals how organized crime is not just producing drugs but also laundering profits through online betting. The emergence of domestic fentanyl super labs marks a disturbing shift from foreign dependency. Cooper also critiques political accountability, focusing on former Premier Christy Clark’s ties to China and implications of cartels on public safety. The podcast uncovers alarming truths about crime's infiltration into Canadian society.
Fentanyl production in Canada has dramatically shifted from importation to domestic manufacturing by organized crime, raising public health concerns.
Weak regulations and unaddressed recommendations have allowed crime syndicates to thrive, exacerbating the national fentanyl crisis and endangering citizens.
Deep dives
Fentanyl Production Increasing in Canada
Fentanyl production in Canada has seen a significant surge, with organized crime groups now manufacturing this potent opioid within the country. Reports indicate that the production of fentanyl has effectively doubled from 51 incidents in 2023 to 99 in 2024, shifting from primarily importing the drug from China to domestic manufacturing. This development is particularly concentrated in British Columbia, where advanced labs operated by Chinese triads and Mexican cartels facilitate high levels of production. The transformation into a fentanyl exporter has raised serious concerns about the drug's impact on public safety and health.
Weak Law Enforcement Enables Organized Crime
Canada's lax regulations and weak law enforcement have contributed to the proliferation of organized crime linked to drug trafficking and money laundering. Investigative journalist Sam Cooper highlighted the complex relationships between various crime syndicates, including Chinese, Mexican, and Iranian groups, which have capitalized on Canada's vulnerabilities. The ineffectiveness of government actions in addressing these issues has been evident, as many recommendations from the B.C. Cullen Commission on money laundering have gone unimplemented. This negligence has allowed criminal activities to flourish, exacerbating the fentanyl crisis.
Political Accountability and Consequences
Former political leaders, such as Christy Clark, are held accountable for their roles in the escalation of organized crime and money laundering in Canada. The failure to adopt critical recommendations from investigations has positioned Canada in a vulnerable state, particularly concerning its relationship with the U.S. Regarding drug trafficking. Critics argue that the lack of serious action taken by prominent politicians has contributed to a national crisis, as the methamphetamine and fentanyl problems have expanded across the country. The ongoing challenges underscore the need for effective political will to combat organized crime and protect citizens.
Host Alex Pierson is joined by Sam Cooper - Investigative Journalist, Founder of The Bureau & Author of Wilful Blindness: How A Network of Narcos, Tycoons and CCP Agents Infiltrated The West about startling revelations that criminal elements are using online betting sites to launder the illicit profits made by fentanyl production in this country!