Criminal groups in Mexico are using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to pay for ingredients used to manufacture fentanyl, revealed a recent report by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) bureau.
Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) buy fentanyl precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment mostly from companies in China (PRC), the June 20 report said. The criminal organizations use the items to synthesize fentanyl and other opioids in Mexico, then sell them in the United States.
