The Canadian government has collaborated with the country's banks in the fight against fentanyl, incorporating them into a money laundering intelligence group aimed at cutting the funds that support the trafficking of this drug.
Kevin Brosseau, designated as the leader of the actions against fentanyl in Canada, met on Wednesday, February 19, with representatives from major national banks, government officials, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Public Safety Minister David McGuinty highlighted the importance of following the money trail to dismantle criminal cartels that benefit from illegal and dangerous drugs like fentanyl. McGuinty emphasized the effectiveness of cutting the profits from organized crime to combat fentanyl trafficking.
Canada has faced pressure from the Trump administration to stop drug-related activities, linking it to the trade relationship between the two countries. Despite this, proposed tariffs were suspended following Canada's announcement to allocate funds to a new "intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl." McGuinty stated that efforts against fentanyl are crucial not only for trade reasons but also due to the high number of fentanyl-related deaths in Canada.
Despite joint efforts, there have been indications of fentanyl production in Canada, such as the dismantling of a superlab in British Columbia, where significant amounts of fentanyl and precursors for its manufacturing were discovered. McGuinty affirmed the determination to continue working to eliminate the production, distribution, and consumption of fentanyl in the country.
During a visit to a Canada Border Services Agency facility, McGuinty revealed the involvement of Canadian banks in this effort, based on Project Guardian, a collaboration between agencies from the United States and Canada that had previously involved the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
