| Home / College Guide / After Hochul signs bill legalizing possession/sale of hypodermic needles, CDC re |
| Posted on Tuesday, October 19 @ 00:00:10 PDT |
[NSSF: Sole New York leader vetoes youth hunting. The data says his reasons why are wrong. But, guns.] Editor note: In 2020, we saw a nationwide push to “defund the police”. While we all stood here shaking our heads wondering if these people were serious… they cut billions of dollars in funding for police officers. And as a result, crime has skyrocketed – all while the same politicians who said “you don’t need guns, the government will protect you” continued their attacks on both our police officers and our Second Amendment rights. And that’s exactly why we’re launching this national crowdfunding campaign as part of our efforts to help “re-fund the police”. For those looking for a quick link to get in the fight and support the cause, click here. NEW YORK- In a case of impeccable timing, the Centers for Disease control released a report that says New York City’s drug overdose deaths have surged by 36 percent year over year. This news comes about after New York’s unelected incompetent governor, Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law which decriminalizes the possession or sale of hypodermic needles and syringes used by those who inject drugs. That law resulted in a directive sent to NYPD commanders: “Effective immediately, members of the service should not take any enforcement action against any individual who possesses a hypodermic needle, even when it contains residue of a controlled substance.
” Law Enforcement Today recently reported on the new measure. According to the New York Post , 2,243 people in the five boroughs that comprise New York City died from drug overdoses over the 12-month period ending March 31, 2021 compared to 1,653 who died during the same period the year before, CDC stats showed. That data doesn’t even tell the whole story, the CDC said, noting the report contained “incomplete data.” According to Dr. Silvia Martins, director of the Substance Abuse Epidemiology Unit of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, the overwhelming majority of the deaths are from opioids and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. So in other words, what Hochul just signed into law will likely result in even more overdose deaths. One might almost think this is intentional. “Overall, we were expecting that [overdose deaths] would increase,” she said, due to economic and general stress related to the pandemic—plus a “disruption” in addiction treatment. Out of the 2,243 deaths, 1,853 died from opioid overdoses during the period, a 45 percent increase from 2020. This includes natural and synthetic opioids, including oxycontin, fentanyl and methadone.
Cocaine deaths also increased, up 35 percent to 908, while heroin deaths were up 15 percent to 800. The CDC said the total number of overdose deaths is less than the sum of individual drug categories since some deaths were the result of a combination of drugs. Meanwhile nationwide, drug overdoses are up 31 percent nationwide, with 96, 779 deaths during the same 12-month period. New York City accounted for 2.3% of total drug overdose deaths. In response to the CDC’s report, the New York City’s Health Department said it “is still researching the increase in overdose deaths in 2020, a national increase of fentanyl in the drug supply, along with pandemic-related stressors, are most likely the causes.” They noted they would be publishing their own report on the 2020 overdose data and “will have more to share soon.” An official acknowledged the pandemic (and probably related mandate-induced depression) was probably a contributing factor. “…isolation brought on by the pandemic is one of the risk factors for increased mental health symptoms, increased substance use and overdoses.” “The presence of fentanyl in illicit substances such as heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, and others is also a major contributor to overdoses and fatalities,” the office added.
So where is the fentanyl coming from? Look no further than the Biden open border, as reported by PJ Media in May. Citing a report from the Washington Free Beacon, the open border is causing fentanyl to stream across the border. “A porous border and weak security ties with Mexico have resulted in large influxes of fentanyl, a highly addictive and lethal drug, across the southern border. Between October 2020 and March 2021, customs agents seized more than 2.5 tons of fentanyl—a more than 300 percent year-on-year increase. Since 2019, cartels have enjoyed soaring profits due to increased demand for the drug in the United States. More than 90,000 Americans overdosed on illicit drugs last year.” Biden’s border policies (or lack thereof) has also led to a deterioration in cooperation between American and Mexican drug interdiction agencies: Cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities to target cartels has deteriorated amid a surge of illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, according to DEA chief of operations Matthew Donahue to NPR. Donahue said Mexican law enforcement agencies have cut off ties with the DEA, fearing punishment from the Mexican government if they cooperate with the U.
S. agency—a breakdown that has helped cartels smuggle fentanyl and methamphetamines into the United States. “It’s a national health threat, it’s a national safety threat,” Donahue said . “[The cartels] do not fear any kind of law enforcement…or military inside of Mexico right now.” In responding to Hochul and the New York State Assembly’s ill-advised passing of the bill, Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) said in a statement: “It was passed under the guise of compassion, but it’s one of the least compassionate bills I’ve seen come across the legislature in a long time. There is nothing compassionate about telling people to do something that is going to kill them.” He said by Hochul signing the bill, she had in essence decriminalized drugs by legalizing the sale and possession of drug paraphernalia and making substance abuse free of social consequences, adding: “This law says stick a needle in your arm, pump your body with poison and lose your life…this law says to people suffering addition that New York has given up on you, that New York doesn’t care about you.” This is the problem with liberals…in the name of tolerance, they actually kill people.
Do you want to join our private family of first responders and supporters? Get unprecedented access to some of the most powerful stories that the media refuses to show you. Proceeds get reinvested into having active, retired and wounded officers, their families and supporters tell more of these stories. Click to check it out. For more on New York Democrats’ death sentence for IV drug users in the Empire State, we invite you to read our previous report, in case you missed it: DIG DEEPER ALBANY, NY- According to the https://nypost.com/2021/10/16/gov-hochuls-drug-war-surrender-will-kill-ny-neighborhoods/ , October 7th, 2021 was the day that New York surrendered in the war on drugs. Upon orders from Albany, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has directed officers to let those addicted to narcotics freely use drugs on city streets, even let them share needles. The NYPD gave in last week, after orders from Albany, and told officers to let drug addicts shoot up on the streets and share needles [#KathyHochul] [#NewYorkCity] [#NewYork] [#DrugAddiction] — H24 News US (@h24news_us) [October 16, 2021] Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill that was pushed by state Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) and backed overwhelmingly by the city’s Democratic delegation to the legislature.
The bill decriminalizes the possession or sale of hypodermic needles and syringes by those who inject drugs, such as heroin. A directive to NYPD commanders states: “Effective immediately, members of the service should not take any enforcement action against any individual who possesses a hypodermic needle, even when it contains residue of a controlled substance.” IV use of illegal substances is inherently unhealthy and dangerous. Those who use drugs and share needles expose themselves and others to HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne infections. Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) said in a statement: “It was passed under the guise of compassion, but it’s one of the least compassionate bills I’ve seen come across the legislature in a long time. There is nothing compassionate about telling people to keep doing something that is going to kill them.” Albany pols, NYPD order cops to do nothing as drug addicts shoot up We went from bad to worst. The new New York State gov. is just another nut who does not care about New Yorkers. The state and the city embraced drugs and crime. [@FoxNews] — KANN (@kelvin_nunez1) [October 16, 2021] Hochul has effectively decriminalized drugs by legalizing the sale and possession of drug paraphernalia and making substance abuse free of social consequences.
Lanza added: “This law says stick a needle in your arm, pump your body with poison and lose your life … This law says to people suffering addiction that New York has given up on you, that New York doesn’t care about you.” Real estate executive William Abramson, who represents residential and commercial clients around the city, said that many of his clients have complained to him about drug abusers found strung out in their stoops and doorways. He added: “This is outrageous. Once again, quality of life in New York City continues to deteriorate because of laws that do not consider the residents and businesses of the city. We all agree that something needs to be done to help addicts, but letting them shoot up on the streets does not help anyone. This is bad for everyone.” Drug deaths across the city have been skyrocketing. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 2,243 people have died from drug overdoses in New York City for the 12-month period that ended on March 31st. This was a 36 percent increase in overdose deaths from the year prior. The NYPD decree also tells cops that, “It is no longer a violation of law for an individual to possess a hypodermic needle, even when it did not come from a pharmacy or a needle exchange program.
” Lanza said that the potential for needle sharing “contravenes any logical and reasonable science based upon public health standards.” Luke Nasta, the CEO of Camelot Counseling, a longtime substance abuse treatment center on Staten Island, said in a statement: “This law is a monument to how far we’ve deteriorated as a society in our relationship to the misuse of drugs. The more permissive we get as a society the harder it is for people struggling to rehabilitate.” Dem run cities. Certifiable den of iniquity — out-of-it addicts surrounded by used needles, broken glass crack pipes, trash, urine and feces. Open-air heroin markets: De Blasios most telling gift to New York via [@nypost] — RSAN (@rsan37) [September 28, 2021] Barbara Blair, President of the Garment District Alliance, which is battling a wave of heroin use in front of member businesses, is outraged. She said: “The new law is preposterous. Mentally and emotionally ill individuals should be removed from the streets, involuntarily if necessary. They should be placed in high-quality settings, institutional settings if necessary, where they get the shelter, food and care they need. Having drug addicts, a frightful condition, freely injecting drugs and passing out in public is not tenable.
” New York lawmakers apparently see no problem, voting to let substance abusers freely use heroin and other injected drugs in public without threat or arrest. Rivera said: “I hear the valid concerns that certain New Yorkers have regarding the increased presence of substance use on our streets and its impact on our communities. That is why it is critical that we move swiftly to open overdose prevention centers, a proven tool in preventing overdose deaths, stopping the spread of disease, providing a safe non-public space for those using drugs and a pathway to a recovery.” The results will be predictably bad for all New Yorkers, including those using the drugs, said Joseph Giacalone, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He said in a statement: “Six months from now, New York politicians will be scratching their heads wondering why syringes are everywhere, drug use is up, overdoses are up, and why open-air drug markets are flourishing. It makes you shake your head.” Do you want to join our private family of first responders and supporters? Get unprecedented access to some of the most powerful stories that the media refuses to show you. Proceeds get reinvested into having active, retired and wounded officers, their families and supporters tell more of these stories.
Click to check it out. For more on fentanyl and the Chinese connection, we invite you to read our report from earlier this year: — The editorial content in this article is brought to you by a former Chief of Police and current staff writer for Law Enforcement Today. — MEXICO- Let’s make this perfectly clear. China is not our friend. Unfortunately, Joe Biden, in the pocket of the Chinese doesn’t realize this. Or perhaps he simply does not care. Fox News has uncovered some disturbing information about China’s infiltration into the Mexican drug wars. That infiltration is directly leading to the deaths of a large number of Americans. If you are expecting anything out of the Biden administration, it is best perhaps not to hold your breath. Fox reported that according to intelligence and security professionals based in Mexico, much of the deaths are attributed to Chinese drug lords, in this case carried out by the “Los Zheng” wing, which has been identified as “having the largest presence in Mexico for the trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Fox obtained exclusive findings from Fortress Risk Management, a security firm which shows the Zhengs utilize otherwise legitimate-appearing shell companies which offer services such as veterinary services, clothing sales, clinical labs and computer maintenance in Mexico.
The cartel uses various ports within Mexico in order to commercialize their products in Mexico. According to Fortress co-founder and chief operating officer Lee Oughton, he says that officials within Mexico, in particular customs authorities, as well as Mexican cartels such as Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generacion, are complicit in the operation. “Once in the country, the drug is transported by air and land to the United States through the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Sinaloa and Sonora,’ Oughton said. Last June, officials with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four individuals and one entity pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act), according to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury. The release identified four individuals: Songyan Ji, Longbao Zhang, Guifeng Cheng, and Guangfu Zheng, all located in China. In addition, OFAC also designated Global United Biotechnology Inc., for being owned or controlled by the Zheng DTO, according to the release. Treasury also said that OFAC had previously identified Fujing Zheng and Zheng DTO as “significant foreign narcotics traffickers pursuant to the Kingpin Act in August 2019.
” Deputy Secretary Justin G. Muzinich said in the release: “Fentanyl and other drugs have caused overwhelming devastation to communities across America. The United States is committed to holding drug traffickers and those who facilitate their operations accountable for the suffering they impose upon American families.” Ji, Zhang, Cheng and Zheng were designated by OFAC, according to Treasury, with facilitating payments for the purchase of fentanyl analogues or other controlled substances, including synthetic cannabinoids and cathinone’s, for Zheng DTO, controlled by Fujing Zheng. The Zheng DTO laundered drug proceeds by using digital currency such as bitcoin, and transmitted drug proceeds into and out of bank accounts in China and Hong Kong. Fujing Zheng, 37, who operated under the alias Gordon Jin, and his father Guanghua Zheng, 64, both who live in Shanghai were indicted by the U.S. in 2018 for “conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to import controlled substances into the United States, operating a continued criminal enterprise, money laundering, and other crimes.” Fox notes that despite the recent arrests, the Zheng criminal operation is still in working on both sides of the Mexico-U.
S. border. According to Ed Calderon, a former Mexican law enforcement officer who is also a narcotics subject matter expert, the Zheng operations still continue today, and noted there are numerous primary, secondary and backup facilitators who can make up for any arrests of personnel. Calderon continued that it isn’t only Chinese drug lords and Mexican cartels that are realizing riches from the operation. “You can’t bring anything into the country without paying off someone,” Calderon said. “There are a lot of ‘fixers’ and guards assigned to these entry ports making a killing from China too.” The involvement of China in the operation inside Mexico are perpetuating faster growth and movement of fentanyl, a drug which was initially developed for use as both a pain killer and anesthetic which is up to 100 times more powerful than heroin. The Fox News piece warned that in cases such as Los Zheng, legitimate pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are being used as “fronts” to blur the lines between legal and illegal operations. Over recent years, Mexican cartels have increased their own production of fentanyl-related products, however, most still rely on Chinese assets for the chemicals used to produce the drug and currently remain the biggest black market customers of the raw materials.
Fox says “raw yet easy-to-cook fentanyl” costs around $2,000 a pound in China and notes that low cost makes it profitable for cartels who then dump their products on American streets. “For the past 12 years, Chinese criminal organizations have become the backbone to the drug cartels with chemicals supplied to the cartels and laundering tens of billions of the cartel profits in North America and Europe,” said Richard Higgins, author of “The Memo: Twenty Years Inside the Deep State Fighting for America First.” Higgins is also the president of HTG, LLC, which is a strategic security and information warfare consulting firm. He also previously served on the National Security Council as the director of strategic planning. “Chinese-organized criminals south and north of the border are very sophisticated using WeChat and other forms of encrypted communication,” he said. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says that Mexico and China “are the primary source countries for fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the United States.” The DEA has noted that the Sinaloa and New Generation Jalisco cartels are the primary organizations who traffic fentanyl into the U.
S. from Mexico via “corridors in Mexico that connect to California and Arizona, indicating drugs passing through these associated areas would need to be approved by these organizations.” Chinese nationals implicated in the schemes are documented as crossing through the southern border of Mexico in the state of Chiapas, and then assimilate into Tapachula, which is where a large ethnic Chinese community is located. Others enter directly from Asia, coming in through ports on the Mexican Pacific coast, including the resort area of Puerto Vallarta. Do you want to join our private family of first responders and supporters? Get unprecedented access to some of the most powerful stories that the media refuses to show you. Proceeds get reinvested into having active, retired and wounded officers, their families and supporters tell more of these stories. Click to check it out. Over the past couple of years, through joint operations conducted by U.S. and Mexican authorities, a number of seizures of illicit fentanyl has been realized. For example, in August of 2019, the Mexican navy seized over 25 tons of Chinese fentanyl enroute to Culiacan, Sinaloa—the Sinaloa cartel’s Mexican flagship.
It is estimated that more than 1 million fentanyl pills were seized in Arizona in 2019 alone. Authorities within the U.S. have made numerous arrests within the past few years related to Chinese involvement in the drug trafficking trade. Fox reported that just last month, six Chinese nationals were charged relative to a conspiracy involving over $30 million over the past 12 years whereby they distributed drug money to Latin America from the U.S. According to the Department of Justice, the scheme involved a fairly complex operation in which bribes were offered to undercover informants, cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as creating fraudulent identities and fake U.S. passports in the scheme. Last June, Xueyong Wu, a Chinese national pleaded guilty for helping launder over $4 million in drug profits related to organizations in Latin America and Mexico, up through and including Virginia. Last march, yet another Chinese national, Xianbing Gan was convicted in Chicago of money laundering relative to narcotics money, which totaled over a half-million dollars. Going back to 2007, when Zhenli Ye Gon, a Chinese-Mexican businessman was indicted for suspicion of trafficking precursor chemicals into Mexico from Asia.
Ye Gon had been licensed by the Mexican government to import substances for the benefit of his legal Mexican pharmaceutical corporations. However, Ye Gon was arrested by federal law enforcement officials in Maryland and charged with importing methamphetamine into the U.S. and seized hundreds of millions of cash from his home in Mexico. He was extradited to Mexico in 2016. However since that initial arrest, criminal activity between China and Mexico has increased in “depth and sophistication,” Fox reported. Whereas in the past cartels used fentanyl-laced marijuana or heroin to smuggle the killer drug into the country, they have enhanced so-called “pressing pill” technologies whereby the drug is now placed inside pharmaceutical bottles with sophisticated labels. They are easily transportable across the border and are sold to unsuspecting buyers in the U.S. Authorities say that this process has made the synthetic fentanyl especially deadly, noting that just a small amount sprinkled into a counterfeit pill cand be fatal, if not highly addictive. While the onset of the coronavirus earlier last year put a monkey wrench into the illicit drug industry, with the supply chain of much needed chemicals from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus, cut off to cartel members in Mexico, they have managed to revamp their production and business models.
Last year, experts said the demand for drugs had soared in part due to the strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic and escalated the opioid overdose crisis which President Trump had called a “public health emergency” three years ago. The CDC noted that in 2019, more than 72,000 Americans died of drug overdoses , of which “illicitly manufactured fentanyl, heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine (either alone or in combination) were involved in nearly 85% of drug overdose deaths in 24 states and the District of Columbia during January-June 2019.” While officially U.S. authorities have said the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is neither complicit nor absolved in the illegal drug industry, some are skeptical that the party doesn’t have some involvement or at least awareness of it. “As part of the CCP’s unrestricted warfare model, they have progressed significantly against America with their enhanced role in the drug business. They can make multibillions and at the same time, undermine the security of America,” said Derek Maltz, retired special agent in charge at the DEA. “A kilogram of fentanyl can kill 500,000 people so the administration should look at the death rates and treat this as a serious national security threat as opposed to only a public health crisis.
” You can be pretty certain that the Biden administration will turn a blind eye to any nefarious activities by the Chinese communists. — Want to make sure you never miss a story from Law Enforcement Today? With so much “stuff” happening in the world on social media, it’s easy for things to get lost. [Make sure you click “following”] and then click “see first” so you don’t miss a thing! (See image below.) Thanks for being a part of the LET family!
|
|
| |
|
