Customs security in the face of fentanyl trafficking has to be strengthened. Concern rages over the effects of this synthetic opioid, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. It is a drug that causes respiratory arrest, unconsciousness, coma and death. As little as three grams can be lethal.
In 2022, 70,601 people died in the United States alone from overdoses of synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In four years, Mexican authorities such as the Secretary of National Defense (Sedena), the Secretary of the Navy and the Armed Forces have seized 7,274 kilograms of fentanyl, which means an increase of more than 1,000% compared to the previous government.
But what can be done now to stop the damage that the trafficking and consumption of fentanyl is causing? One concrete action is that customs, borders and seaports are under surveillance day after day. Have security experts at your post watching intently and with the utmost care.
And it is urgent to dismantle the fentanyl supply chain and the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco Nueva Generación cartel on both sides of the border. Well, you and other criminal gangs have realized the great business opportunity that exists in producing false or adulterated opioids.
For this reason, it is necessary to stop something that could become an epidemic of synthetic opioids in Mexico and fall into a public health crisis as it is in the United States, where fentanyl kills thousands of people every year.
In fact, Mexico and the US have already committed at the security summit held in Washington to make an effort to strengthen customs surveillance to combat fentanyl trafficking. This can be accomplished with the help of security professionals.
So, what is required is more control at customs; as well as creating a special unit of the Prosecutor’s Office specifically dedicated to investigating synthetic drug trafficking.
An ally in the war on drugs
Customs security must be extraordinarily reinforced – the experts insist -. Everything possible must be done so that synthetic drugs and those “false pills” of fentanyl do not reach the streets thanks to preventive actions.
The federal government has an ally in private security companies, but not just any, it must be one that is in the REPSE Public Registry (Registry of Specialized Service Providers). The REPSE is mandatory for all private security providers in Mexico.
Industrial Safety Multisystems Group® (GMSI) With more than 40 years of experience, he is part of the REPSE of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. It also has certifications, and federal and state permits to carry weapons from the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA). In addition, GMSI is ISO certified; and is a member of the National Council on Private Security.
But the Army or the Armed Forces are not enough to monitor customs, borders and seaports, the authorities should resort to highly trained private security companies that solve any problem; and have efficient reaction protocols and real-time monitoring 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The northern states of the country are the ones that require the greatest vigilance because the fentanyl trafficking routes pass through there. Mexico is in time to prevent an increase in the consumption of this synthetic drug before it becomes a tragedy as it is in the United States.
In conclusion: In this war against drugs, private security companies play a very important role because with their specialized knowledge and practice, infrastructure, technology and trained personnel, they can significantly support the authorities and society.