As part of the ongoing US drug crisis, fentanyl, a potent opioid, plays a major role.

The supply chain for the drug often begins with Chinese chemical companies, according to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

The Chinese foreign ministry said in April that there was no illegal trafficking of fentanyl between China and Mexico.

Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador called on China to help stop the flow of fentanyl and its precursors into his country.

US authorities blame Mexican drug gangs for supplying fentanyl to users.

Doctors can legally prescribe fentanyl, but an increase in opioid addiction in the US has led to an increase in illegal production and overdoses.

A record 109,680 deaths were linked to the drug in 2022.

Treasury announced sanctions against a Chinese network that manufactures and distributes precursors to fentanyl as well as other illegal drugs.

Law enforcement officials say companies in the fentanyl supply chain routinely use false addresses and mislabel their products.

According to the Treasury, the sanctions affect 12 entities and 13 individuals based in China, as well as two entities and one individual based in Canada.

Americans will be barred from dealing with the entities as a result of the sanctions, which will freeze their assets in the US.

In order to address the supply of illegal drugs, Merrick Garland and other senior officials will travel to Mexico.

Mr Garland told reporters, “We know who poisoned the American people with fentanyl.”.