US sanctions China-based network accused of trafficking fentanyl

The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 28 people and entities accused of involvement in the global drug trade, including a large China-based network that allegedly trafficked the opioid fentanyl. The move was part of a set of actions the Biden administration was set to announce targeting the supply of so-called fentanyl precursors, chemicals used to produce the powerful synthetic opioid that has fueled a rise in drug overdose deaths in the United States in recent years. The Treasury Department said in a statement it sanctioned 12 entities and 13 individuals based in China accused of being responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA precursors.