The United States has announced the largest seizure of methamphetamine precursor chemicals in its history, intercepting **more than 700,000 pounds (300,000 kilograms)** of substances allegedly en route from China to Mexico’s powerful **Sinaloa cartel**.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia, **Jeanine Pirro**, disclosed the operation on Wednesday during a press briefing at the **Port of Houston, Texas**, where the massive haul was displayed in a warehouse. The consignment, she said, consisted of **13,000 blue barrels**, plastic-wrapped and shipped from **Shanghai** on two vessels before being seized **“on the high seas”** last week.
“This is the largest seizure of precursor chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine in US history,” Pirro declared, underscoring the scale of the cartel’s operations and the collaborative effort that led to the bust.
According to **Todd Lyons**, Acting Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the shipments were first consolidated in **Panama** with assistance from “foreign law enforcement partners” before being redirected to Houston for processing.
Officials said the chemicals were destined for **clandestine laboratories** operated by the Sinaloa cartel, a group long accused of fueling the US drug crisis with meth, fentanyl, and other narcotics.
Authorities have not disclosed whether arrests were made in connection with the seizure but described the operation as a major blow to the cartel’s global supply chain.
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