U.S.-PRC Counternarcotics Working Group Progress on Illicit Synthetic Drugs Including Fentanyl

Last week, the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) convened a meeting of senior officials in Washington, DC, as part of the U.S.-PRC Counternarcotics Working Group (CNWG).  This group, launched in January 2024 following the decision by President Biden and President Xi to resume bilateral cooperation on counternarcotics, has coordinated bilateral efforts to combat the global manufacturing and trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs, including fentanyl.

As part of the CNWG, officials from both countries reviewed progress in bilateral counternarcotics efforts, including the PRC’s June 18 announcement of the arrest of  an individual indicted in the U.S. for involvement in a money laundering scheme on behalf of the Sinaloa cartel, the June 18 scheduling announcement that included key nitazenes controlled at the international level, and the July 15 announcement to further regulate veterinary anesthetics and psychotropic drugs including xylazines. They also discussed updates on PRC action to schedule precursor chemicals used to manufacture illicit fentanyl that are controlled at the international level.  Following the CNWG, the PRC announced on August 5 that they will begin scheduling three essential fentanyl precursors, a valuable step forward.  

The July 2024 CNWG was chaired by the White House National Security Council staff and included representatives from the Department of State; the Department of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations; the Department of the Treasury; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Department of Justice, including the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.  Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd D. Robinson and China Coordinator Mark Lambert hosted an additional bilateral meeting with the PRC Ministry of Public Security Director General Wei Xiaojun.