Wyden Calls on Trump DEA to Crack Down on Fentanyl Middlemen

Wyden Calls on Trump DEA to Crack Down on Fentanyl Middlemen

Senator's letter sounds alarm on foreign chemical brokers aiding in fentanyl production and distribution in the United States

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today called on the Trump administration to take swift action to crack down on foreign middlemen known as "chemical brokers" that play a growing role in procuring the materials necessary for illicit fentanyl production for drug cartels.

"Through a complex web of illegitimate shell companies as well as legitimate chemical import-export businesses, chemical brokers are able to clandestinely supply drug cartels with the precursor chemicals that fuel the fentanyl crisis in the United States," Wyden wrote in his letter to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terrance Cole. "While significant public attention has been focused on the role of cartels and chemical manufacturers in the global fentanyl crisis, far less has been focused on brokers who are a key conduit in sourcing and shipping these chemicals across international borders and into Oregon. They are 'one of the few bottlenecks in the vast chemical distribution chain' responsible for global fentanyl production."

Wyden's letter to the DEA follows recent reporting on the pivotal role that chemical brokers play in acquiring the chemicals and materials necessary for drug cartels to produce illicit fentanyl.

According to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, brokers, usually based in China or Mexico, are able to procure Chinese-made chemicals for Mexican cartels that manufacture fentanyl, which is then trafficked into the United States. Despite playing such a key role in illicit fentanyl production, chemical brokers have received minimal attention and scrutiny from law enforcement.

Specifically, Wyden is asking for answers from the Trump administration on current work it is doing to crack down on chemical brokers, and how it plans to intensify those efforts to identify and hold brokers accountable for their role in perpetuating the ongoing fentanyl crisis.

The full letter can be found here.

Wyden's ongoing work to address the fentanyl crisis is supported by community leaders and members of law enforcement in Oregon:

"I deeply appreciate Senator Wyden's efforts to support law enforcement's fight against drug trafficking. As a district attorney, there's only so much I can do in my local community to stop the flow of dangerous fentanyl coming from beyond our borders. Senator Wyden's focus on disrupting the global supply chain of dangerous chemicals by focusing on the role of chemical brokers is critically important to saving communities and saving lives." - Kevin Barton, Washington County District Attorney.

"Fentanyl continues to destroy lives and cause death amongst those whose illicit use goes untreated. Collectively we need to stop the demand through interdiction as well as treat the demand through interventions and treatment." - Eric Guyer, Executive Director for the Addictions Recovery Center (ARC).

"Fentanyl has become a public health and safety crisis in our State, and we must act on all fronts. I support Senator Wyden's efforts to cut off the middlemen supplying chemicals for fentanyl production. Disrupting the supply chain is key to protecting our community, especially our youth." - Hillsboro Mayor, Beach Pace.

"I applaud Senator Wyden's efforts to disrupt the trafficking of poison into our communities," said State Senator Anthony Broadman (D-Bend), who serves as budget co-chair for Public Safety in the Oregon legislature. "Taking down the chemical brokers who pump illegal fentanyl into Oregon will save lives."

"Although we do not see the chemical brokers first-hand, we certainly see the negative effects of their work. Fentanyl trafficking organizations are elusive, and we will not see the reduction of Fentanyl on our streets until we combat the problem at its source. The root of the problem in this case is most certainly the chemical brokers who supply the cartels with the needed materials to manufacture Fentanyl. I am confident if we can collectively impact the production and movement of chemical materials, we will begin to see a reduction of Fentanyl availability on our streets." - Justin Ivens, Medford Police Chief.

"The interdiction of precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of synthetic opioids is a critical part of law enforcement efforts to reduce the flow of deadly drugs coming into our communities." - Stephen Gunnels, Deschutes County District Attorney.

"Fentanyl has wreaked havoc on Central Oregon communities over the last 5 years. Deschutes County works to interrupt the supply of fentanyl through law enforcement and works to reduce demand for fentanyl through programs that prevent and treat addiction. But much more work is needed to disrupt the supply of fentanyl and targeting these middlemen chemical brokers would provide great benefit to our local efforts to address the supply of and demand for fentanyl." - Phil Chang, Deschutes County Commissioner.

"Unfortunately, Oregon has not been immune to the consequences of our nationwide fentanyl crisis. Attacking this crisis from every angle is what's needed to deliver real results and keep drugs off our streets. We are proud to support Senator Wyden as he continues to take a comprehensive approach to tackling the fentanyl crisis to protect Oregon families in Beaverton and beyond." - Lacey Beaty, Mayor of the City of Beaverton