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2d ago

U.S. Seizes Record Meth Precursors at Sea Bound From China to Sinaloa Cartel

Prosecutors used terrorism-forfeiture powers tied to the Sinaloa cartel’s FTO status to seize the China-loaded cargo at sea.

Officials said 13,000 barrels of precursor chemicals were seized from two ships that left Shanghai bound for Mexico
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro called it the largest-ever seizure of meth precursor chemicals
US authorities say they are now able to track meth precursor chemicals before they reach US soil
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Overview

  • Authorities intercepted 1,300 barrels holding about 363,000 pounds of benzyl alcohol and 334,000 pounds of N‑Methylformamide on two vessels, with the shipment loaded in Shanghai and destined for Mexico.
  • Officials described it as the largest U.S. seizure of meth precursor chemicals, executed on the high seas before the cargo could reach cartel laboratories.
  • The shipments were consolidated in Panama with help from foreign law enforcement and brought to Houston under a seizure warrant obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
  • Investigators estimate the chemicals could have produced roughly 420,000 pounds of methamphetamine valued at about $569 million in the Houston market.
  • The operation involved ICE, HSI, CBP, DEA, FBI and Defense Department personnel, and Treasury separately sanctioned Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Co. and two representatives, Huang Xiaojun and Huang Zhanpeng.