To expand your business, mexican cartels Now they go to universities to recruit to chemistry students talented to manufacture fentanyl.
According to a report in The New York Times,the priority of criminal organizations such as the Sinaloa Cartel It is no longer recruiting hitmen or police,but chemistry students’prodigy’ to “build fentanyl empires.”
the objective behind recruiting chemistry students is synthesize chemical precursors used for the manufacture of fentanyl and so stop importing them from China.
How does the Sinaloa Cartel recruit chemistry students?
Reporters Natalie kitroeff and paulina Villegas,from the renowned American newspaper,told what the recruitment method that use the mexican cartels to add chemistry students to their ranks.
To do this, the journalists interviewed seven fentanyl cooks, three chemistry students, two “high-ranking” agents and a senior recruiterall from the Sinaloa Cartel.
The journalistic work states that to add chemistry students to their institution, the Sinaloa Cartel sends a recruiterwho uses methods such as dress up as a janitor to enter the campus, and once inside he heads towards his objective.
When establishing communication with the young people, the recruiter explains that the Cartel is adding chemicals to produce fentanyl and that “they had heard good things” about it, to finally tell them: “You say if you are interested.”
A chemistry teacher is even quoted, who confirmed that the recruitment of his students was common.
Narcolaboratory (Archive / Notimex)
What functions do chemistry students perform within the Mexican cartels?
Los students They revealed to the American publication that they occupied different functions within the Sinaloa Cartelamong which are:
- Conduct experiments to strengthen the drug or create precursors;
- Monitor the manufacturing process;
- Work alongside the cooks and helpers who produce bulk fentanyl
And since the covid-19 pandemic, the Mexican cartels were forced to look for alternatives to supply the chemical precursors of fentanyl after seeing supply chain diminished coming from Asia.
It was then that they began to recruit chemistry teachers and students to develop chemical precursors and in “make the drug stronger”.
Despite the multiple risks to which they are exposed in the manufacture of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs,one of the biggest attractions for chemistry students to join the Mexican cartels is the payment they receive,which according to one of the students mentioned in the report doubles the average salary of chemists formally employed in Mexico.
What are the long-term effects of drug cartels recruiting chemistry students on community safety and public health?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Elena Ramirez, Expert on Drug trafficking and Chemical Engineering
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Ramirez. We appreciate you joining us today to discuss a concerning trend highlighted in a recent New York Times report. it appears that Mexican cartels, especially the sinaloa Cartel, are shifting their recruitment strategies. Instead of traditional methods like hiring hitmen, they are now targeting talented chemistry students. can you explain why this shift is happening?
Dr. Elena Ramirez: Good morning, and thank you for having me. This trend is indeed alarming.The Sinaloa Cartel and others are recognizing the value of specialized knowledge. with the rise in fentanyl production and its devastating impact, they need individuals who can understand complex chemical processes. By recruiting chemistry students, they are trying to build an internal capacity to synthesize chemical precursors rather then relying on imports from countries like China, which can be risky and create vulnerabilities in their supply chain.
Time.news Editor: That’s a engaging insight. Could you elaborate on the implications this has for public safety and drug policy?
Dr. Elena Ramirez: Absolutely. This recruitment strategy poses significant risks. First, it amplifies the cartel’s ability to produce fentanyl, which is far cheaper and more potent than other opioids. More importantly, as they nurture homegrown talent in chemistry, this can led to an increase in local production that may not just feed into the black market but can also spill over into communities, exacerbating the opioid crisis. from a policy standpoint, it calls for an urgent reevaluation of how we educate and engage with students in scientific fields. We might need to consider implementing more supportive frameworks in educational institutions to prevent such recruitment.
Time.news Editor: What preventative measures do you think could be taken at universities to protect students from being recruited?
Dr. Elena Ramirez: Educational institutions can play a pivotal role. First, universities should raise awareness about the risks associated with the illicit use of their knowledge. They might also consider enhancing mentorship programs to guide students toward positive career opportunities in legitimate fields. Collaborating with authorities to create robust reporting systems for suspicious activities could also deter cartel recruitment. Moreover,incorporating ethics and the social implications of chemical engineering into the curriculum could encourage students to reflect on their responsibilities as future professionals.
Time.news Editor: It’s crucial that educational institutions take proactive steps. However, what about the wider societal implications? How should government and law enforcement respond to this emerging trend?
Dr. Elena Ramirez: Governments need to adopt a multi-faceted approach. Law enforcement agencies could increase surveillance and intelligence-sharing about cartel activities and their recruitment methods. At the same time, we need to more comprehensively tackle the root causes of drug trafficking, such as poverty and lack of economic opportunities in affected regions. Moreover, healthcare policies must focus on addiction treatment and prevention, ensuring that communities are safeguarded from the consequences of increased fentanyl availability.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ramirez, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. It’s clear that addressing cartel recruitment of chemistry students involves complex layers of action,from education to law enforcement. We look forward to seeing how society responds to this challenge.
Dr. Elena Ramirez: Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we bring attention to these issues and work collaboratively to protect our communities from the harm caused by drug trafficking.