The White House announced on Tuesday that the United States is intensifying its efforts to combat illicit financial activities tied to the fentanyl trade.

As part of this initiative, the Biden administration plans to increase the use of sanctions to hinder drug traffickers’ access to the U.S. financial system and disrupt the flow of illicit funds. The White House released a fact sheet detailing its strategy to crack down on fentanyl supply chains, emphasizing the importance of targeting key players within the network.

In addition to sanctions, the U.S. government will enhance collaboration with international partners to bolster efforts against illicit finance and money laundering activities associated with drug trafficking. By working closely with global allies, the United States says it aims to strengthen its ability to effectively combat the growing issue of synthetic drugs.

This announcement comes as Mexico’s security cabinet is set to meet with U.S. officials to discuss the trafficking of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. The Biden administration has been facing significant pressure from some U.S. lawmakers to adopt a more aggressive stance towards Mexico, urging them to crack down on fentanyl trafficking within their borders. Certain Republican legislators have even gone as far as to call for the U.S. military to bomb Mexican cartels and their drug labs.

The urgency of addressing this issue is highlighted by the alarming increase in overdose deaths linked to synthetic opioids, including fentanyl. In 2021, over 70,000 people in the United States lost their lives due to such overdoses, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.