How Precursor Chemicals Sustain Mexico's Synthetic Drug Trade

FENTANYL / 8 MAY 2023

The production of fentanyl and methamphetamine requires key ingredients known as precursor chemicals. Because of their illicit uses, these substances are highly regulated around the world.  

Yet synthetic drug producers in Mexico have found ways to circumvent regulations to obtain the precursor chemicals, and a sophisticated network of brokers has allowed them to find and buy pre-precursors, less regulated chemicals used at an earlier stage of the production process for methamphetamine and fentanyl. These drugs are then transported across the border by groups like the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG.

In this investigation, InSight Crime breaks down the different stages of the supply chain for these synthetic drugs. We look at the chemical companies manufacturing and selling the precursors in China and India, the transnational network of buyers sourcing the precursors, and the chemists and cooks synthesizing the drugs in Mexico. The report also assesses the effectiveness of current regulatory and law enforcement efforts on this issue and offers a series of recommendations aimed at governments, multilateral organizations, and other decision-makers.

Chapter 1

Precursors and Mexico’s Synthetic Drug Trade: Summary and Major Findings

SYNTHETIC DRUGS / 8 MAY 2023

InSight Crime's new report shows the inner workings of Mexico's synthetic drugs trade and how criminal groups have profited from it.

Chapter 2

Making Synthetic Drugs: A Primer*

SYNTHETIC DRUGS / 8 MAY 2023

The heavy regulation placed on chemical precursors used for meth and fentanyl has seen drug traffickers turn to pre-precursors instead.

Chapter 3

Size and Scope of the Meth Industry in Mexico

METHAMPHETAMINE / 8 MAY 2023

While fentanyl dominates headlines, Mexico has continued to produce colossal tons of methamphetamine which floods the United States.

Chapter 4

Brokers, More Than Mexico's 'Cartels,' Key to Precursor Flow

SYNTHETIC DRUGS / 9 MAY 2023

Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG depend on a network of brokers to buy precursor chemicals needed to make fentanyl and meth.

Chapter 5

How Fentanyl Is Synthesized in Mexico

FENTANYL / 9 MAY 2023

The difficulty of sourcing finished fentanyl from China has Mexican groups acquire precursor chemicals to synthesize fentanyl themselves.

Chapter 6

Chemists and 'Cooks': How Fentanyl Kills

FENTANYL / 10 MAY 2023

While cooks produce vast quantities of fentanyl in makeshift labs across Mexico, they are watched over by a small group of expert chemists.

Chapter 7

Mexico's Laws to Regulate Chemicals Work on Paper But Not in Practice

FENTANYL / 10 MAY 2023

Mexico's regulations concerning precursor chemicals is strong on paper, but rampant corruption means this is essentially meaningless.

Download Full Report

Related Content

MEXICO / 30 NOV 2011

With 26 dead bodies dumped on the streets of Guadalajara, mass killings in Mexico seem to be growing more common…

MEXICO / 1 MAY 2012

The deaths of at least a dozen people in clashes in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, as rival groups linked…

ELITES AND CRIME / 16 MAY 2016

The expulsion of three mayoral candidates in Tamaulipas state by Mexico's ruling party amid allegations they are working with organized…

About InSight Crime

WORK WITH US

Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist

27 MAY 2023

InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Paraguay Election Coverage Draws Attention 

5 MAY 2023

InSight Crime looked at the various anti-organized crime policies proposed by the candidates in Paraguay’s presidential election, which was won on April 30 by Santiago Peña. Our pre-election coverage was cited…

icon #SupportFreePress
image

Support Our Work

Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. Please donate. Every dollar supports our mission.

DONATE NOW image