China group likely used Japan to ship fentanyl chemicals: Nikkei investigation

5 comments

1. Hey there, this is Dave from Nikkei Asia’s audience engagement team. Here’s an excerpt from the above story, for those interested:

   — —

   NEW YORK/MEXICO CITY/NAGOYA, Japan — A Chinese organization allegedly used a base in Japan to smuggle chemicals to make the synthetic drug fentanyl into the U.S., a Nikkei investigation has found.

   A key figure in the group registered a company in the city of Nagoya and until at least July 2024 issued instructions from Japan on the delivery of the dangerous opioid and on the management of funds.

   The finding means that Japan may be on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis, which helped ignite the current confrontation between the U.S. and China.

   Fentanyl abuse has become a serious issue in the U.S., causing tens of thousands of deaths annually. In February and March, the Trump administration announced tariffs of 20% on goods from China and 25% on goods from Mexico and Canada, with some exceptions, blaming the crisis on the three countries.

   Japan had not previously been officially linked to fentanyl trafficking. If Japan is part of a trafficking route, then the country could get caught up in the global frictions surrounding this issue, including the trade war.

   The Chinese organization set up a company in Nagoya named Firsky KK. Nikkei confirmed this by analyzing public documents, social media, map data, images and company websites.

   Firsky had personnel and capital ties to Hubei Amarvel Biotech, a Wuhan-based chemical manufacturer targeted by the American authorities. Amarvel executives were convicted in a federal court in New York this January of charges that included conspiracy to import fentanyl precursors into the U.S.

   An investigation of 100-plus U.S. court documents, including unpublished ones, led Nikkei to uncover the existence of a “Japan boss” who had invested in Amarvel. Although he was only briefly mentioned, a further investigation via social media and other means revealed the individual’s real name and background.

2. so the Yakuza are involved?

3. Good news for Trump.
   He’s going to use this as a leverage in Tariff negotiation.

4. What is a fentanyl precursor? Aren’t those just pharma supply?

5. Sounds like someone should keep this on the down low, otherwise Trump will hit you with the fentanyl tariff for being an accomplice.