**Biden Recognizes Fentanyl Seizures by Sheinbaum’s Government**
On December 7, 2024, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. acknowledged significant drug enforcement achievements by the government led by Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. The cooperation resulted in the seizure of over 20 million doses of illicit fentanyl, a quantity capable of fatally impacting 15% of the American population. This operation has contributed to a 14% decrease in overdose deaths in the United States.
President Biden expressed gratitude to Claudia Sheinbaum for her leadership and to the military and security officers on both sides of the border for their dedication in combating fentanyl trafficking. “This matters,” Biden emphasized in his statement, adding that under his administration, forces have confiscated more fentanyl at the border in the past two years than in the previous five combined.
Biden further highlighted the successful imprisonment of several cartel leaders and financial operatives involved in drug trafficking. The recent efforts, he noted, are showing tangible results, with the latest data reflecting a significant decline in overdose fatalities nationwide.
Meanwhile, Omar Garcia Harfuch, head of the Federal Security and Citizen Protection Secretariat (SSPC), announced the capture of Adrián Cebreros Pereyra, alias “El Gallero,” suspected of leading a network responsible for a record-breaking fentanyl seizure of approximately 1,500 kilograms of pills in Sinaloa.
Garcia Harfuch shared via social media that the arrest followed strategic operations aimed at reducing crime rates in the region. Authorities continue to focus on disrupting violent criminal activities and dismantling organized crime rings.
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**Secondary Article: Mexican Authorities Continue Crackdown on Fentanyl Trafficking**
In related developments, Mexican security forces have intensified actions against fentanyl trafficking in response to the growing opioid crisis. On December 5, 2024, units from the Secretariat of National Defense, the National Guard, the Secretariat of the Navy, the Federal Attorney General’s Office, and the SSPC, conducted coordinated operations in Sinaloa, resulting in significant drug seizures and arrests.
The recent interception of over a ton of fentanyl and the detention of suspects linked to the Beltrán Leyva Cartel underscore ongoing efforts to curb the flow of harmful substances into the United States. This joint operation is part of an overarching strategy to reduce violence and enhance public safety across Mexican states.
Security forces have committed to maintaining a unified approach to tackling drug-related crime, demonstrating a steadfast resolve to address the opioid epidemic that affects both Mexico and the United States. This international partnership highlights the shared commitment to deterring drug trafficking and saving lives on both sides of the border.