DEA points finger at Mexican cartels, social media apps for fentanyl boom

The DEA said they have seized an unprecedented amount of fentanyl and fake prescription pills containing the deadly opioid. The agency seized more than 15,000 pounds of fentanyl in 2021, enough to kill every American. Agents have also seized more than 20m fake pills made to look like Xanax, Adderall and Oxycontin. Pill mills are pouring out product from production facilities in Mexico run by drug cartels using chemicals from China. The CDC said more than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses in the U.S. during the past year. More than 75,000 of the deaths involved opioids — mainly fentanyl.

Cartels offer drugs on U.S. social media sites. They harness the perfect drug delivery tool — apps that are available on every smartphone in the U.S. While Facebook has historically been a popular place for those looking to buy and sell drugs, Snapchat and Instagram are the most popular apps for teens. New apps pop up every day. Social media companies aren't doing enough to stop the ads according to the DEA.