New Mexico Sun: Senate Candidate Domenici on cartels: 'In Albuquerque alone, narcotic offenses increased 116% between 2022 and 2023'

Nella Domenici, a U.S. Senate Candidate in New Mexico, has voiced her concerns about the rising drug trade in America, particularly in Albuquerque. She stated that cartels are profiting off their drug trade while killing Americans. In Albuquerque, narcotic offenses have spiked by 116% between 2022 and 2023. Domenici shared these remarks with the New Mexico Sun on May 21.

"Cartels are bringing death into our communities and getting rich while American families lose loved ones," said Domenici, US Senate Candidate in New Mexico. "Last year, the DEA seized over 3 million deadly doses of fentanyl from communities across New Mexico and West Texas. In Albuquerque alone, narcotic offenses increased 116% between 2022 and 2023. Martin Heinrich and his fellow radicals are failing us by allowing this drug epidemic to continue. The time to act is now."

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment, fentanyl is named as the deadliest drug in American history. It claimed the lives of 38,000 Americans in the "first sixth months of 2023 alone." The Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have facilitated the presence of fentanyl in nearly all 50 US states. They produce it in Mexico and smuggle it into the United States, earning "billions of dollars in profits from the fentanyl trade." Their operations encompass every stage of the supply chain, from sourcing precursor chemicals to manufacturing drugs, and managing logistics through a network of collaborators such as international shippers, transporters, corrupt officials, tunnel builders, shell companies, and money launderers.

The DEA reports that fentanyl is infiltrating America through its hidden placement in other illicit substances like cocaine and heroin. Manufacturers often disguise fentanyl to appear like a regular prescription drug. A DEA laboratory analysis conducted in 2023 stated that "approximately 7 in 10 fake pills contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl (approximately 2 milligrams)", leading Americans to consume lethal amounts of fentanyl under the assumption that they are consuming a legitimate prescription drug.

In response to this crisis, the DEA has launched an initiative aimed at singling out organizations trafficking drugs into the United States and raising awareness about the presence of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. The agency aims to "relentlessly pursue and defeat the two Mexican drug cartels" which have caused the "worst drug crisis in U.S. history" by breaking the supply chain and bringing individuals to justice.

According to Operation Engage Albuquerque from the DEA, illicit fentanyl has been named as the top drug threat in Albuquerque. In 2023, the DEA found that 70% of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills contain a potentially lethal dose of at least 2 mg, up from 60% in 2022. Criminal networks mass produce these counterfeit pills, which are marketed as legitimate medications and are easily accessible on social media and e-commerce platforms. These fake pills often mimic prescription opioids but contain fentanyl.

As per Ballotpedia, Domenici was born in Albuquerque and received a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University, a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, and a graduate degree from Harvard Business School. She is on the ballot for the New Mexico Republican primary, which will be held on June 4.