The analysis of available information reveals a strong indication of collaboration between drug cartels, particularly the Sinaloa Cartel, and Chinese actors in the broader fentanyl supply chain. This collaboration manifests in several ways, including the supply of precursor chemicals from China used by cartels to manufacture fentanyl, the historical direct manufacturing of fentanyl in China for the US market, and the involvement of Chinese underground banking in laundering drug proceeds for cartels. While the direct evidence of this collaboration within the specific cases of Operation Deadly Merchant might be nuanced, the broader context provided by related operations and investigations strongly suggests this connection is a significant factor in the fentanyl crisis targeted by these law enforcement efforts.