WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today co-chaired a Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control (Drug Caucus) hearing on precursor chemicals used to manufacture illicit synthetic drugs. Grassley grilled witnesses from the Departments of State, Justice and Homeland Security on precursor chemical destruction and foreign drug enforcement operations, inter-agency coordination in pursuing fentanyl traffickers and the urgent need to permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances, among other topics.
During questioning, a witness from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) stated HSI was forced to stand down on an opportunity to arrest a member of the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, saying, “For reasons that you have very well documented in your report and letters...we weren’t able to execute” the arrest. As a result, the United States missed a critical opportunity to bring swift justice on the Sinaloa Cartel. Grassley’s letters tracing the Chapitos stand-down order are as follows:
Grassley’s full opening remarks can be found HERE. Video of his remarks and questions to the witnesses can be watched below.
Watch: Opening Remarks | Round 1 Questions | Round 2 Questions
Grassley’s questions follow:
Precursor Chemical Destruction in Mexico
Mr. Mayoral, when Mexican officials working with the United...
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