Chinese nationals face trial in Landmark US fentanyl case

Two Chinese nationals, Wang Qingzhou and Chen Yiyi, are standing trial in New York on charges related to the trafficking of fentanyl precursors from China to the U.S. The trial, which began Wednesday in New York’s Southern District Court, marks a significant step in U.S. efforts to curb the deadly opioid crisis.

Wang and Chen, apprehended in a sting operation in Fiji in June 2023 and later extradited to the U.S., are accused of shipping over 200 kilograms of fentanyl precursor chemicals through their employer, Hubei Amarvel Biotech. Prosecutors allege these chemicals could produce enough fentanyl to kill 25 million people.

Government prosecutor Kevin Sullivan described the case as centering on the defendants’ intent to establish a drug lab in New York. “They didn’t get the drug lab in New York, instead, they got arrested,” he said.

Defense attorney David Mou argued that no fentanyl was produced, claiming the chemicals were insufficient for fentanyl synthesis.

The case underscores the ongoing U.S.-China tensions over the fentanyl trade. While the U.S. has accused China of not doing enough to regulate precursor chemicals, Beijing has condemned the trial as an example of U.S. “bullyism” and called for the defendants’ release.

The trial comes amid heightened U.S.-China cooperation on narcotics control, though disagreements persist. As the trial progresses, it remains a focal point in the broader fight against the opioid epidemic in the U.S.