While it is unclear who put up the banners, they appeared at a time when the U.S. is ramping up pressure on Mexico to take action against crime groups involved in fentanyl production.
MEXICO CITY, Oct 2 (Reuters) - A powerful faction of the Sinaloa cartel led by the sons of ex-Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has banned fentanyl production and sales in Sinaloa, according to roadside banners, though analysts doubted the group would leave such a profitable business.
They appeared at a time when U.S. authorities are ramping up pressure on Mexico to take action against crime groups involved in fentanyl production.
The U.S. government this year portrayed Los Chapitos, or "little Chapos", as the principal providers of fentanyl into the United States.
"The sale, manufacture, transportation or any type of business involving the substance known as fentanyl is strictly prohibited in Sinaloa," the banners said.
Leo Silva, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent who worked in Mexico, said the banners were likely an attempt by Los Chapitos to shift the blame for fentanyl production on to others.
In July, Sinaloan investigative outlet Riodoce reported that Los Chapitos had told producers in Culiacan, the state capital, to stop manufacturing fentanyl.
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