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Jun 23, 20261
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Mexico Seizes 24,400 Liters of Liquid Methamphetamine in Second-Largest Drug Bust
Mexican authorities announced the seizure of 24,400 liters of liquid methamphetamine in Sinaloa state on June 19-20, marking the country's second-largest drug bust. The operation also resulted in the seizure of chemical precursors and the arrest of a suspected Sinaloa Cartel member, as part of broader anti-narcotics efforts by President Claudia Sheinbaum's government.
Quick Facts
Who
Mexican Army
What
Seizure of 24,400 liters of liquid methamphetamine
When
June 19-20, 2026
Where
Los Mochis, Sinaloa
- Seizure of 24,400 liters of liquid methamphetamine
- Recovery of approximately 160,000 liters of chemical precursors
- Arrest of suspected cartel member
- Dismantling of methamphetamine laboratories
- Seizure of over three tons of cocaine in separate operations
Mexican authorities announced the seizure of 24,400 liters of liquid methamphetamine in Sinaloa state on June 19-20, marking the country's second-largest drug bust of its kind. The operation was conducted by the Mexican Army and National Guard at a property in Los Mochis, where officials also recovered approximately 160,000 liters of chemical precursors, two vehicles, and ammunition for long guns. A suspected member of the Sinaloa Cartel identified as Jorge "N" was arrested during the raid.
The seizure represents a significant blow to drug trafficking operations in the region, which has been gripped by violent internal conflict between two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel since September 2024. The conflict involves the sons of imprisoned cartel leader Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, known as "Los Chapitos," and supporters of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, resulting in hundreds of deaths and disappearances. Mexican authorities stated that the operation directly undermines criminal organizations' operational and financial capacity to produce synthetic drugs at scale.
The bust comes as part of broader anti-drug efforts under President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration, which has dismantled 2,407 methamphetamine laboratories since taking office in October 2024. In separate operations, Mexican authorities also seized over three tons of cocaine from properties in Tlaxcala and in two maritime operations off the coast of Guerrero state, detaining five individuals in the latter operations.
The drug seizures highlight ongoing tensions between Mexico and the United States over cartel violence. President Donald Trump recently criticized Sheinbaum during a visit to Paris, claiming that cartels govern Mexico and describing the Mexican president as "a very frightened woman." Trump has repeatedly offered assistance to Mexico in combating cartels on Mexican territory, which Sheinbaum has consistently rejected, emphasizing Mexico's sovereignty.
Despite the recent arrests of major cartel leaders including "El Chapo" Guzmán and other historic figures now imprisoned in the United States, the Sinaloa Cartel remains one of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations. Beyond drug trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, the cartel engages in extortion, human trafficking, illegal logging, and money laundering operations.
Why This Matters
This seizure signals Mexico's intensified crackdown on synthetic drug production at a critical moment when the Sinaloa Cartel faces internal fracturing. For readers, it demonstrates the scale of methamphetamine manufacturing in the region and raises stakes in U.S.-Mexico security cooperation—a contentious issue under the Trump administration. Understanding Mexico's drug enforcement capacity is essential as cartels diversify beyond traditional cocaine trafficking into fentanyl and methamphetamine destined for North American markets.