On March 24, 2023, Perry Center Professor Celina Realuyo testified on “China and the Mexican Cartels’ Asymmetrical War through the Illicit Fentanyl Trade” at a hearing on “Follow the Money: The CCP’s Business Model Fueling the Fentanyl Crisis” before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions.

She explained how the Mexican cartels and their Chinese suppliers and money launderers have exploited the fentanyl crisis in the US to further enrich and empower themselves. Professor Realuyo recommended increased sanctions against the Chinese and the designation of the Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist groups to address the fentanyl crisis that is killing thousands of witting and unwitting Americas with fentanyl and fentanyl-laced drugs. She testified alongside Jonathan Cassara, Special Agent, US Treasury (retired), Donald Im, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Cyber Section DEA Special Operations Division (retired), Jason Grellner, Vice President of Healthcare, Evolv Technology and Gretchen Peters, Executive Director, Alliance to Counter Crime Online.