The Biden administration has taken action against the trafficking of fentanyl, announcing indictments and sanctions against Chinese companies and executives involved in importing the chemicals used to produce the deadly drug. The move comes as part of the administration’s efforts to combat the overdose crisis in the US. The Department of Justice has charged eight Chinese companies accused of manufacturing, advertising, and distributing precursor chemicals for synthetic opioids, while the Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on 28 individuals and companies. The administration has also vowed to bring those charged to justice. Mexico and China are the primary sources of fentanyl trafficking into the US, with most precursor chemicals originating from China. The administration is seeking to disrupt the financial flows associated with the global illicit drug trade and target those who benefit from drug sales. Republicans have criticized the administration for not doing enough to address the fentanyl issue, which is expected to be a major topic in the upcoming presidential campaign. Fentanyl is currently the deadliest drug in the US, and drug overdose deaths have increased significantly in recent years. The US has implemented numerous measures to prevent the influx of fentanyl into the country, including over 200 sanctions related to the illegal drug trade. State lawmakers are also pushing for harsher penalties for possessing fentanyl.