The national government announced a series of strict measures to strengthen control over fentanyl in Colombia, during the session of the National Narcotics Council chaired by the Minister in charge of Justice, Andrés Idárraga Franco, and with the presence of the Minister of the Interior, Armando Benedetti.

The decision marks a decisive turn in the fight against this highly dangerous synthetic substance, whose misuse has generated humanitarian crises in countries such as the United States, Canada and China.

According to Benedetti, with this determination the Government of President Gustavo Petro sends an unequivocal message of rejection of any attempt to manufacture or use Colombian territory as a corridor for the illicit export of fentanyl.

“Colombia will not allow the manufacture of fentanyl nor for the country to be used as a corridor to export it. We are allies of the United States and the international community in this fight,” the minister stated.

Also read: What is known about the crash that knocked down a pole and caused the Medellín – Bogotá highway to collapse in Copacabana

The authorities announced that the six substances necessary to produce the opioid will be subject to reinforced surveillance, despite the fact that they have legitimate uses in hospital and industrial sectors. The objective is to prevent its diversion into criminal activities and close any operating space for networks dedicated to illicit production.

Additionally, next Tuesday at 10:00 am a bill will be filed in Congress that will penalize the entry, carrying, distribution, storage and export of fentanyl. This seeks to eliminate existing regulatory gaps and provide the State with more solid tools to confront this phenomenon.

More news from Colombia