Chinese Chemicals Entered US, Went to Mexico, and Came Back as Fentanyl
A Mexican fentanyl manufacturer used precursor chemicals from China routed through Arizona in an operation responsible for 5 metric tons of the drug.
TL;DR
- Hernan Geovani Ojeda Elenes pleaded guilty to two federal drug conspiracy charges.
- He admitted responsibility for producing and distributing at least five metric tons of fentanyl.
- Ojeda Elenes sourced fentanyl precursor chemicals from China.
- These chemicals were routed through an Arizona freight forwarder into the U.S. before being moved to Mexico.
- In Mexico, the chemicals were used to manufacture fentanyl for distribution back into the U.S.
- The Justice Department described Ojeda Elenes as a fentanyl manufacturer for the Sinaloa cartel.
- His organization, including his father Hernan Domingo Ojeda Lopez, shifted focus to fentanyl around 2019 due to perceived profitability.