U.S. Says Pressure on Mexican Cartels Pushing Fentanyl Trafficking to Canadian Border

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin says crackdowns on Mexican cartels are redirecting fentanyl trafficking through the U.S.-Canada border, with suspects on the terrorist watchlist arrested almost weekly.

U.S. Says Pressure on Mexican Cartels Pushing Fentanyl Trafficking to Canadian Border

Washington's tougher stance against narcotics networks operating along the Mexican frontier is causing those organizations to shift operations toward the boundary with Canada, a senior American official has warned.

Radio-Canada reports that Markwayne Mullin, who leads the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, addressed a Washington audience alongside Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. During the event at a policy research center, Mullin stated that enforcement pressure on cartels south of the border is forcing criminal enterprises to explore new corridors — including routes through Canada.

Mullin emphasized that criminal supply chains do not vanish when disrupted. The underlying commercial structures and consumer demand for illicit substances remain intact, he said, which drives traffickers to adapt and relocate. He specifically pointed to a growing volume of fentanyl crossing from Canada into the United States as evidence of this geographic shift.

The cabinet member, appointed in March, offered additional concerning figures. He indicated that individuals flagged on terrorism databases are being intercepted at the northern frontier roughly seven times per month. Drug shipments originating in Canada have climbed notably over the preceding twelve months, he added.

Despite broader diplomatic friction between the two countries, Mullin adopted a conciliatory posture. He stressed the importance of deepening operational ties between American and Canadian agencies to stop the problem before it expands. He referenced shared military history and stated that both nations depend on one another for security.

Anandasangaree countered by noting that Ottawa's recent investments in border controls have already curbed unauthorized crossings and narcotics exports. He cited the joint arrest of alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding as an example of productive bilateral law enforcement work.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)