China has condemned the United States for sanctioning several Chinese firms and individuals for allegedly trafficking chemicals used for the manufacturing of fentanyl, calling the arrests “arbitrary detention.”   

The US government accused four Chinese companies and eight individuals of trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States.

Hubei Amarvel Biotech, Anhui Rencheng Technology, Anhui Moker New Material Technology and Hefei GSK Trade are the four Chinese firms targeted in the latest US sanctions. Eight executives and employees of the four firms have been indicted. Two of them were even arrested and taken into custody in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“This is a typical example of arbitrary detention and unilateral sanctions,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. “It is completely illegal and seriously damages the basic human rights of Chinese citizens and Chinese companies. China strongly condemns this.”

It added that the unwarranted charges levied against the Chinese individuals by the US Justice Department “seriously undermine the foundation of China-US anti-drug cooperation.”

“China urges the United States to… release illegally detained Chinese citizens, ” the statement insisted.

The Chinese government, for its part, has regulated all fentanyl-related substances while imposing strict control on China-based suppliers of the drug and the ingredients used in its production.

Earlier this year at his first State of the Union address, US President Joe Biden was heckled by Republicans, who criticized his handling of the country’s fentanyl crisis.

“Fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year,” said Biden during his speech at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on  Feb. 7, 2023.

Some Republicans interrupted Biden’s speech, shouting, “The border! The border!”, “It’s your fault!”

Most of the fentanyl sold in the United States originates in Mexico.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid prescription drug that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic.

Some say is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin in concealing pain. It is also said to be 100 times more addictive. The production of the drug is reportedly much easier and cheaper than other painkillers.

It works by binding to the opioid receptors found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions.

After taking fentanyl a couple of times, the brain adapts it, diminishing its sensitivity, making it hard to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug.

When people become addicted, drug seeking and drug use take control of their lives.

Fentanyl is considered to be one of the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States.