Mexico makes huge meth haul

BBC:

The Mexican army says it has seized 15 tonnes of methamphetamine in the western state of Jalisco.

Soldiers found the synthetic drug, thought to be the largest amount ever seized in Mexico, at a ranch after a tip-off by a local.

The production of methamphetamine is on the rise in Mexico, with the powerful Sinaloa cartel smuggling huge amounts into the United States.

Methamphetamine creates a powerful psychological dependency.

Soldiers discovered the cache at a ranch in Tlajomulco de Zuniga, south of the state capital, Guadalajara.

Gen Gilberto Hernandez Andreu said the ranch had been used as a lab to manufacture the drug, which can be swallowed, sniffed, smoked or injected.

"It's an historic seizure: more than 15 tonnes of methamphetamine, five kilos of crystal, and around seven tonnes of precursor chemicals," General Hernandez Andreu said.

Soldiers also seized equipment used to produce the drug, but no arrests were made.

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Meth is made by combining what used to be an over the counter sinus drug, Sudafed  with other chemicals to make a powerfully addictive drug.  In areas where it is prevalent, crime increases as people become desperate to get money to feed their habit.  Since Sudafed sales now must be registered, it is harder to make meth in this country.  In Mexico the cartels can buy the materials in quantity without having to go to a pharmacy.  Theya re getting some of the materials from China.