Chinese Money Launderers a Major Obstacle in Fight Against Fentanyl: US Officials

A soldier stands guard inside a clandestine chemical drug processing laboratory discovered in Mexico on Feb. 9, 2012. Chinese gangs are supplying Mexican drug cartels with chemicals to create illicit substances, for sale in the United States. Hector Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images

The U.S. drug war is now in cyberspace, and the main antagonists are transnational criminal organizations (TCO) serviced by Chinese money laundering outfits, law enforcement officials say.

“Mexican cartels’ ability to traffic deadly fentanyl into the United States is greatly enhanced by Chinese money laundering,” said Steven Cagen, an official at the investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).