In an unprecedented turn of events, the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most powerful drug cartels in history and the primary source of fentanyl entering the United States, has allegedly banned the production and sale of this deadly drug. This shocking decision comes amidst mounting pressure from U.S. law enforcement, but experts remain skeptical.

According to The Wall Street Journal, operatives within the Sinaloa Cartel claim that the order came directly from the sons of infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, currently incarcerated in a Colorado supermax prison. The goal? To “evade pressure from U.S. law enforcement” as deaths from fentanyl have surged over the past decade.

However, not everyone is buying this story. One U.S. official, speaking to The Wall Street Journal, dismissed this move as nothing more than a publicity stunt, arguing that the cartel would not cease fentanyl production. “They think if they do this, they won’t take as much heat,” the official said, adding that he believes the move won’t impact the overall situation.

The Biden administration has been pressuring the Mexican government — known for its alignment with various cartels — to dismantle these operations, particularly targeting the Sinaloa Cartel. In response, the cartel has allegedly started executing anyone still involved in producing or trafficking fentanyl, even hanging banners throughout Sinaloa and other states like Tijuana and Sonora warning members about the deadly consequences.

However, some believe that the cartel’s exit from the fentanyl business is a calculated move to divert U.S. attention towards the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Others suggest that the ban was enforced due to difficulties in obtaining precursor chemicals needed to manufacture the drug, or because of the brutal deaths of cartel members involved in fentanyl production.

While U.S. officials acknowledge that, if true, it will be months before a reduction in fentanyl supply is observed on U.S. streets, they suspect that the Sinaloa Cartel will ramp up exports of cocaine, meth, and heroin to offset any potential loss in profits from the fentanyl ban.