Mexican cartels are reportedly using homeless people and animals as test subjects in an effort to control the fentanyl drug trade, following a shortage of drug ingredients from China.
According to the Daily Star, the Sinaloa cartel uses impoverished individuals in Culiacán, as well as animals like rabbits and chickens, for testing. .
Gang members are enticing vulnerable people with offers of only $30 to test dangerous experimental fentanyl formulas, which frequently result in severe reactions or death.
In makeshift “labs,” the gangs mix mixtures with experimental additives such as animal tranquilizers like xylazine, hoping to produce a potent product.
Animals are injected to measure a drug’s strength using arbitrary conclusions–if a hen or rabbit survives longer than 90 seconds, the batch is considered weak, according to the New York Times.
Experts have warned that such experimentation will only exacerbate addiction issues or result in fatalities
This year, it is estimated that 50,000 to 60,000 Americans will die from synthetic opioid overdoses, the majority of which will result from the use of fentanyl or other similar drugs.
Previously, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed the need for American intervention to combat the cartels in response to President Donald Trump’s proposal to send troops into Mexico.
She said, “No need to get caught up.”
This comes as Trump announces his intention to classify Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations while requesting assistance from the Mexican president.
