Mexico seizes 24,400 liters of liquid meth, largest haul of Sheinbaum's term

Mexican security forces have seized 24,400 liters of liquid methamphetamine in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, marking the largest confiscation of its type during President Claudia Sheinbaum's current administration. The operation, a joint effort by the Mexican Army and the National Guard, took place in the city of Los Mochis on June 19 and 20.

In addition to the substantial quantity of liquid methamphetamine, the military discovered 98,640 liters and 59,425 kilograms of chemicals used in the production of synthetic drugs. Two vehicles, firearm magazines, and ammunition of various calibers were also confiscated. The Ministry of National Defense (Defensa) highlighted the seizure's magnitude in a statement, noting its economic impact on organized crime exceeds 9 billion pesos (approximately $518 million).

This seizure is considered the largest of its kind in the current administration and the second-largest in historical records. Jorge 'N', a suspected member of the Sinaloa Cartel, was arrested in connection with the operation. The cartel was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the White House last year. The suspect has been transferred to the Attorney General's Office (FGR) for further proceedings.

Sinaloa, a state with one of the highest homicide rates in Mexico, is the birthplace of the cartel founded by Joaquín 'el Chapo' Guzmán and Ismael 'el Mayo' Zambada, both currently imprisoned in the United States. The region has experienced a surge in violence since September 2024 due to internal conflicts within the Sinaloa Cartel. The state's governor, Rubén Rocha Moya, has faced accusations from the U.S. of collaborating with the Los Chapitos faction, though the Mexican government disputes these claims due to a lack of conclusive evidence.