Mexico's Sheinbaum Disputes NYT Report on Sinaloa Cartel's 10-Kilogram Fentanyl Lab in Culiacán

Jan 2, 2025, 02:55 PM

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly disputed a New York Times report detailing the production of fentanyl in Sinaloa, labeling the story as 'not very believable.' The report, authored by journalists Natalie Kitroeff and Paulina Villegas, included images of what was claimed to be a clandestine laboratory operated by the Sinaloa Cartel in Culiacán, specifically dedicated to producing 10 kilograms of fentanyl. Sheinbaum criticized the report for not reflecting the actual production methods of the drug, emphasizing that the images presented, showing individuals using common kitchen appliances, do not align with the complex and hazardous processes required for fentanyl production, as outlined by Mexican authorities like the Secretariat of the Navy and the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris). The New York Times, in response, defended its investigative work, asserting that its journalists spent months researching the fentanyl industry and stood by their reporting.