Attorney General Jeff Sessions Delivers Remarks to the Joint Interagency Task Force South

“While they run loose, the rule of law is diminished while they corruptly influence governments. They undermine the progress we all want for our countries.”

“As long as they pour out huge volumes of illegal drugs, there will be more addiction and death. And that is why I hope that our meetings today—and your meetings in Washington this week—will strengthen our relationships and help us perform at a higher level than ever before.”

“Last October, for the first time we indicted Chinese nationals for trafficking synthetic drugs in the United States.  Last week I announced our third case—a 43-count indictment against a drug trafficking organization based in Shanghai.”

“I also announced charges against a married couple who we believe were once the most prolific synthetic opioid, fentanyl traffickers on the darknet in North America.  I also announced that we had worked with our partners in Canada to help them indict a man we believe was the third most prolific darknet synthetic opioid dealer in North America.”

“In 2017, Customs and Border Protection seized nearly twice as much cocaine at our borders as they seized just three years before.”

“Many of your governments and militaries have played a key role in these successes.  There is no doubt in my mind that you have saved lives.”

“Last year you seized or interdicted a total of 316 metric tons of illegal drugs headed toward the United States, including more than 44,000 pounds in Panama, more than 37,000 pounds in Costa Rica, 31,000 in Guatemala, and more than 23,000 in Mexico.”

“You also reduced the estimated amount of cocaine trafficked successfully South of our border by 357 metric tons.”

“I want to commend you for these accomplishments and thank you.”

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