Mexico-China cooperation advances in control of fentanyl precursors

Mexico City. The second meeting of the Mexico-China Working Group on Chemical Precursors was held this Friday. Its objective was to advance bilateral cooperation efforts for the control and detection of chemical precursors and other substances used in the illicit manufacture of drugs, including fentanyl.

The working group’s operating rules were approved at the meeting, which define the areas of collaboration to prevent and combat illegal drug manufacturing activities, as well as the diversion of chemical precursors into illicit channels, according to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE).

The Chinese delegation was led by the National Narcotics Control Commission and included representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce, the General Customs Agency, the Shanghai Public Security Bureau and the Shandong Provincial Public Security Department. The Mexican delegation was led by the Navy (Semar) and included officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and National Defense (Sedena), the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the Mexican National Customs Agency (ANAM) and the Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris).

This meeting took place in the context of a visit by a delegation from the People’s Republic of China to Mexico from September 2 to 6, in reciprocity to the visit made to that country by a Mexican delegation in October 2023.

The Chinese delegation’s program included visits to the Port of Veracruz on September 3 and to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) on September 5. “The objective was to learn about security and surveillance measures in Mexican port and airport areas, as well as the control and inspection procedures for chemical precursors and other substances entering the country to prevent their diversion to illicit uses,” according to official information.

On September 6, the Chinese delegation held a working meeting at the Criminal Investigation Agency of the FGR to explore areas of bilateral cooperation in the investigation of transnational organized crime.

“The visit of the Chinese delegation to our country took place in an atmosphere of respect for the national sovereignty of both countries, equality and mutual benefit. The conviction of both nations to continue strengthening their cooperation within their respective jurisdictions to combat illicit drug trafficking was also a key component of the discussion,” said the SRE.