Miller Leads Letter to President Biden on FDA's Proposed Menthol Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) led a letter to President Joe Biden to express concern about Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) expanding its operations in the United States and how the Biden administration's proposed menthol cigarette ban may contribute to CJNG's expansion.
 
The letter highlights CJNG’s recent growth in operations, which includes cigarette smuggling, and raises concerns about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposal to ban menthol cigarettes in the United States. The letter raises concerns that the proposed ban will only provide Mexican cartels and illegal markets with increased opportunity for illicit activity and more potential funding for cartel operations, including the smuggling of fentanyl across our borders.
 
Congresswoman Miller was joined by Representatives Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Brian Babin (TX), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Lori Chavez-DeRemer(R-OR), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), August Pfluger (R-TX), and Michael Waltz (R-FL) in sending the letter to the Biden administration. 
 
Click HERE for the full letter.

On the significant threat from CJNG to the United States:
As you are aware, Mexican cartels pose a deadly threat to the United States. As the greatest criminal drug threat to the U.S., the Mexican cartels are also involved in several other criminal activities, including but not limited to human trafficking, money laundering, and extortion. In recent years, the Mexican cartels are believed to be responsible for a large portion of synthetic opioid trafficking in the U.S., where overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl have skyrocketed. We are very concerned about the Mexican cartels and their presence in the United States and urge you to take action that would limit the cartels’ funding and ability to operate within our borders.
 
Specifically, it has come to our attention that the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) has gained power in Mexico and expanded its operations to the U.S. The Department of Justice considers CJNG “to be one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world”. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also believes CJNG is the best-armed criminal organization in Mexico and to be a significant threat to the United States. With a reputation for extreme violence, CJNG is a significant target for the United States government.
 
On the proposed plan from the FDA to ban the production of menthol cigarettes:
CJNG has reportedly expanded its recent operations to include cigarette smuggling and sales in an effort to diversify their operations. We are concerned they could be using the profits from their cigarette smuggling to fund their fentanyl operation in the U.S. This concern is particularly timely given that there is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed rule in the final stages of agency review that concerns menthol in cigarettes. While it may be well-intentioned, this menthol ban would amount to prohibition and the consequences could be more severe than the FDA realizes. It could open a huge opportunity for CJNG and other criminal organizations to expand their cigarette smuggling within U.S. borders, especially considering the regulated U.S. menthol market is worth approximately $30 billion. Considering CJNG already has a sophisticated narcotics distribution network across major U.S. cities, it would be relatively easy for them to transition to new illicit cigarette sales if given the opportunity and financial incentive.