The initiative aims to enhance law enforcement strategies and community engagement to address the fentanyl epidemic more effectively.

The coalition has given WeChat a 30-day deadline to outline measures it is taking to prevent money laundering activities on its platform.

Jackson warned that if WeChat fails to address these issues, the coalition may escalate actions, including law enforcement interventions and pursuing tougher laws.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, along with five other state attorneys general, has accused the Chinese messaging app WeChat of facilitating fentanyl trafficking and money laundering.

In North Carolina, fentanyl overdoses have become the leading cause of death for individuals under 45, with an alarming average of six deaths per day attributed to the drug.

Both North Carolina and South Carolina are experiencing a surge in fentanyl-related incidents, prompting state leaders to take decisive actions to protect public health.

This initiative underscores the importance of regional collaboration between states to tackle drug trafficking and its associated harms.

Phil Weiser, Colorado's Democratic attorney general, emphasized the need for online platforms to take responsibility for policing illegal activities.

Jackson highlighted the urgent need to address fentanyl trafficking, linking it to a significant increase in overdose deaths in communities like Charlotte.

Legislative efforts in South Carolina have led to stricter penalties for fentanyl trafficking, including a new law that creates the charge of fentanyl-induced homicide.

The bipartisan effort includes attorneys general from South Carolina, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Colorado, alongside local law enforcement support.

WeChat has been linked to numerous fentanyl-related criminal cases across the United States, yet the coalition argues that the company has not taken adequate steps to address the issue.