Latin American illicit drug business

In the early stages of the opioids crisis the roles of the three main countries – the US, China, and Mexico - appeared relatively clear. The US was the main consumer country, with strong demand from users and addicts, but also with a government motivated to prevent the flood of fentanyl coming across its borders and fuelling its public health crisis. China was the main producer country, with a massive chemical and pharmaceutical industry churning out not only fentanyl but also the precursor chemicals and pre-precursor chemicals used in its manufacture, as well as in the manufacture of analogues.