Irish Gangs Met with the Sinaloa Cartel to Introduce Fentanyl to Europe

By Socalj 9/05/2023 07:34:00 PM


Irish criminal networks have traveled with other European gangs to discuss the supply of the lethal synthetic opiate, fentanyl, into the Irish and European markets, it has emerged. This is likely in response to the shortage of heroin in Europe due to crackdowns by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The group of European traffickers engaged with Mexican Cartels, including the Sinaloa cartel, who are leaders in the production and supply of fentanyl into the US market. They currently coordinate shipments of cocaine and meth to various parts of Europe.

A long-running West Dublin trafficking outfit, which has dominated the supply of heroin into Ireland for many decades, is considered the most significant Irish organized crime group involved in this endeavor.

Taliban's Crackdown on Opium
Irish and European experts are concerned that the Taliban's crackdown on the production of opium, and therefore heroin in Afghanistan, may result in criminals turning to synthetic opiates, including fentanyl, to fill the market. These synthetic versions are far more potent than heroin. Fentanyl was first detected in Ireland in 2016 and 2017 but is not considered widespread. Ireland recorded 409 overdose deaths in 2020. While the population difference in the United States is vastly greater, the US reported over 100,000 in that same year, with nearly 75% being caused by opioid overdoses.

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https://www.borderlandbeat.com/2023/09/irish-gangs-met-with-sinaloa-cartel-to.html