What is the Pulitzer Prize?
The Pulitzer Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in journalism, literature, and musical composition in the United States. Established in 1917 by newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, the award recognizes excellence in categories such as investigative reporting, public service, commentary, photography, fiction, and more. Each year, the Pulitzer Prizes honor those who demonstrate outstanding dedication to truth, storytelling, and the pursuit of public interest.
Awarded by Columbia University, the prizes are judged by an independent board of experts and professionals. Winning a Pulitzer not only affirms journalistic integrity and impact but often brings national attention to critical issues uncovered through in-depth reporting.
Reuters Wins Pulitzer for Investigation of Fentanyl Trade
May 5 (Reuters) – Reuters has won the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting for its seven-part series titled “Fentanyl Express”, which sheds light on the global chemical trade fueling America’s deadly opioid crisis.
Over 450,000 Americans have died due to fentanyl overdoses, and the crisis continues to worsen. In this award-winning series, Reuters journalists revealed how easily precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl can be purchased — often legally and cheaply — from China. For just $3,600, the team acquired enough materials to manufacture at least $3 million worth of fentanyl. They did not produce the drug, nor did they intend to; instead, they ensured the safe destruction of the materials.
The investigation highlighted a critical loophole in U.S. customs law known as the “de minimis” rule, which allowed for tariff-free imports of parcels valued under $800. Chinese suppliers exploited this loophole to ship chemicals in small packages, flooding the U.S. market without scrutiny. The rule, recently revised by the Trump administration to exclude Chinese and Hong Kong shipments, had previously facilitated an unchecked chemical trade.
Working across the U.S., Mexico, China, and other locations, the Reuters team also exposed the role of Mexican brokers and cartels, explored diplomatic tensions with China, and reported on the use of naloxone, a life-saving antidote to fentanyl overdoses — though it has not halted the broader addiction epidemic.
The reporting team included Maurice Tamman, Laura Gottesdiener, Stephen Eisenhammer, Drazen Jorgic, Daisy Chung, Kristina Cooke, Michael Martina, Antoni Slodkowski, and Shannon Stapleton.
Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni called the series “a testament to the power of investigative journalism to drive change and hold those in power accountable.”
This marks the sixth Pulitzer Prize for reporting that Reuters has won since 2014 — a testament to the agency’s ongoing commitment to fearless, impactful journalism.
