NYT: Mexican Cartels Recruit Chemistry Students for Fentanyl Production

Dec 1, 2024, 04:19 PM

Mexican drug cartels are reportedly recruiting chemistry students from universities in Mexico to produce fentanyl, according to a report by The New York Times. These criminal groups are targeting a unique talent pool by offering lucrative compensation to chemistry students, leveraging their specialized skills to manufacture the synthetic opioid. "Los grupos delictivos están recurriendo a una reserva de talento poco habitual: alumnos de química que estudian en universidades mexicanas," the report states. Fentanyl, a potent drug, has been a major contributor to the opioid crisis in the United States, exacerbating public health concerns.