Reporting from Culiacán, Mexico, this article unveils the inner workings of a Sinaloa cartel fentanyl lab, highlighting the dangers faced by those involved in drug production and the ongoing violence affecting the region.
Inside the Fentanyl Production: Sinaloa Cartel's Unseen Operations
Inside the Fentanyl Production: Sinaloa Cartel's Unseen Operations
New York Times investigates a secret fentanyl lab in Culiacán run by the notorious Sinaloa cartel, revealing the perilous environment of drug manufacturing amid escalating cartel violence.
In a recent investigation by The New York Times, reporters found themselves inside a clandestine fentanyl lab in Culiacán, Mexico, where they observed firsthand the perilous conditions under which the Sinaloa cartel operates. On December 19, a cartel cook was seen pouring white powder into a stockpot, employing an immersion blender amid swirling fumes that filled the cramped kitchen. Despite wearing gas masks and hazmat suits, the workers were exposed to lethal chemicals, showcasing an alarming normalization of danger within this drug production environment.
As the cook battled the effects of the toxic atmosphere, the precarious health risks became evident. He suddenly exclaimed, “It really hit me,” before retreating for fresh air, highlighting the reality that even those accustomed to such environments are not immune to its dangers. The purpose of their work? Fulfilling an order for a staggering ten kilograms of fentanyl.
The Sinaloa cartel, recognized as Mexico's most powerful criminal organization, has seen intensified conflicts in recent months, resulting in a violent war between rival factions. This turmoil has wreaked havoc across the northwestern state of Sinaloa, leaving hundreds dead and incurring economic damages estimated in the billions, according to local business leaders. In response to this escalating violence, the Mexican government has deployed heavy military presence, executing numerous arrests to stabilize the region.
Culiacán, the state capital, continues to be a pivotal hub for fentanyl production, and the impacts of the cartel's activities echo throughout the community. The perils of drug manufacturing are juxtaposed with the sobering reality of the violence plaguing the area, shedding light on the complex dynamics that define life in Sinaloa today.
