FinCEN has issued an advisory to alert U.S. financial institutions to new trends in the illicit fentanyl supply chain and urge vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activity associated with Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations and their illicit procurement of fentanyl precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment from People’s Republic of China-based suppliers.

 

This advisory is supplementary to the 2019 Advisory on Illicit Financial Schemes and Methods Related to the Trafficking of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids. This supplemental advisory highlights how Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) purchase fentanyl precursor chemicals, pill presses, die molds, and other manufacturing equipment primarily originating from companies located in China. FinCEN has identified additional red flags to help financial institutions detect, prevent, and report this suspicious activity.

 

FinCEN requests that financial institutions reference this supplemental advisory in SAR field 2 (Filing Institution Note to FinCEN) and the narrative by including the key term: “FENTANYL FIN-2024-A002” for any SARs filed related to this advisory.

 

You can read the advisory here.

 

CCI suggests sharing this information with your BSA Officer.  For any questions, please reach out to us via email at inquiries@completecompli.com.