Fentanyl Precursors & Illegal Trade - Marvel Biotech, a China-based company, sold fentanyl precursors used to make the deadly drug [1] - The Chinese company disguised illicit products as dog food, nuts, and motor oil for stealth shipping [2] - Roughly 3 kilos of the precursor were arranged to be sent to lower Manhattan [2] DEA Sting Operation & Arrests - A DEA informant was used in a sting operation to arrest individuals involved in the drug trade [2][3] - Two Chinese nationals were arrested in Fiji in 2023 while attempting to secure a huge sale [4][5] - The individuals were extradited to the US, convicted on drug charges and money laundering, and will be sentenced in August [5] China's Role & Cooperation - The US needs China's help to combat fentanyl production and trafficking [6][7] - The Chinese government banned the production of two fentanyl precursors, but this was considered superficial [7] - A congressional report indicated the Chinese government provided tax breaks to some of these companies [7]