News Summary
A bipartisan coalition of Attorneys General from several states, led by North Carolina’s Jeff Jackson and South Carolina’s Alan Wilson, is holding WeChat accountable for facilitating money laundering linked to fentanyl trafficking. The officials have demanded a response from WeChat within 30 days to address its involvement in the fentanyl crisis, which is causing daily fatalities across the U.S. The campaign emphasizes the urgency of the situation, as community members increasingly advocate for action against the platform.
Charlotte, N.C. – North and South Carolina Attorneys General, Jeff Jackson and Alan Wilson, have initiated a bipartisan campaign aimed at holding WeChat accountable for allegedly facilitating money laundering linked to fentanyl trafficking. The announcement was made at a press conference on Monday, where officials emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the daily fatalities caused by fentanyl overdoses across the nation.
The coalition, which includes attorneys general from Colorado, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New Hampshire, is demanding a response from WeChat within 30 days. The letter specifies that by June 11, WeChat must outline the measures it plans to implement to mitigate its role in money laundering associated with fentanyl traffickers. This initiative arises amid escalating concerns over the fentanyl crisis, which has significantly impacted communities across the United States, including in Charlotte, where fentanyl-related deaths have surged.
Currently, approximately six individuals die each day in the U.S. from fentanyl-related incidents. In Mecklenburg County, a staggering 86% of the 75 overdose deaths reported from January to April of the previous year were attributed to fentanyl. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) has recorded around 600 overdose calls in 2025 alone, marking an 11% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
WeChat, a widely used Chinese messaging platform, is accused of serving as a conduit for Mexican cartels and Chinese brokers, allowing them to transfer drug money back to suppliers in their respective countries. This has led to increased scrutiny from state and federal officials as they work to dismantle financial networks that support fentanyl distribution. In their communication, the attorneys general highlighted recent judicial cases, including the 2021 conviction of money launderer Xizhi Li and the indictment of various companies under “Operation Chem Capture” earlier this year, as evidence of WeChat’s involvement in illicit activities.
Failure to address these issues could result in WeChat facing severe legal repercussions under North Carolina’s anti-money laundering laws, public nuisance law, or federal regulations. State officials have voiced concerns that WeChat has developed a reputation as a “safe haven for criminality and money laundering,” thus necessitating a strong and immediate response.
In support of the initiative, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has recently pushed for a $2.5 million budget allocation to establish a fentanyl control unit. This proposed unit is aimed at targeting drug trafficking operations more effectively and addressing the underlying issues of fentanyl distribution in the state.
Advocates, including Barbara Walsh from the Fentanyl Victims Network of North Carolina, have expressed hope that this initiative will lead to preventive measures, curbing the loss of lives associated with fentanyl overdoses. Community members are increasingly aware of the dangers posed by fentanyl and the urgent need for action from both public authorities and technology platforms like WeChat.
As fentanyl trafficking continues to escalate, the coalition of attorneys general is committed to disrupting the financial mechanisms that enable this crisis, striving to protect communities and save lives across the country.
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- WCCB Charlotte
- Wikipedia: Fentanyl
- Charlotte Observer
- Google Search: WeChat fentanyl money laundering
- QC News
- Google Scholar: WeChat money laundering fentanyl
- WNCT
- Encyclopedia Britannica: WeChat
- WCNC
- Google News: North Carolina South Carolina attorneys general
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