15 Tons of Meth Seized
The historic seizure of 15 tons of pure methamphetamine in western Mexico, equal to half of all meth seizures worldwide in 2009, feeds growing speculation that Mexico could become a world platform for meth production, instead of just a supplier to the United States. Although Army officials did not reveal which drug gangs could have been behind the 15 tons of meth, it is believed that the powerful Sinaloa cartel is involved in the production of the meth seized. The Sinaloa cartel is a major international trafficker of cocaine and marijuana. They have now started meth production and manufacturing on an idustrial scale.
The Sinaloa cartel, lead by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, is equipped to produce and distribute drugs "for the global village," said Antonio Mazzitelli, the regional representative of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. "Such large-scale production could suggest an expansion ... into Latin American and Asian markets," Mazzitelli said. But he also mentioned, "it may be a product that hasn't been able to be sold, and like any business, when the market is depressed, stockpiles build up." Officials also feel that Sinaloa is making an attempt "to reduce its reliance on Columbian cocaine by flooding the market with meth."
In the United States, the suppliers of meth are traditionally outlaw motorcycle gangs and other independent groups. While they continue to produce methamphetamine and control a share of the market, methamphetamine smuggling into the United States from Mexico is controlled primarily by the same major organizations that dominate the production and trafficking of other illicit drugs from Mexico into the United States.
According to the DEA, in the last 3 years, there has been a 518% increase in the amount of meth seized in California. Also, reports from Los Angeles indicate that meth use is more popular than cocaine. An official from Atlanta reported that meth tends to be used by white, middle-class teenagers and young adults who have no links to the crack scene and are afraid of crack because of its negative image as a highly addictive drug. Ethnographic data indicate that meth is becoming more popular and available in suburbs.
The consequenses of producing, trafficking or possession of meth has many variables. If you or someone you know is facing drug related charges, it will be highly beneficial to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Call one of the Myrtle Beach criminal defense lawyers at The Mace Firm to schedule a free consultation.
Our Myrtle Beach federal defense lawyer spends a significant amount of time in criminal courts throughout the country. There are criminal lawyers all over the United States, but few practice criminal defense in Charleston, New York, Miami, Detroit, Myrtle Beach, Columbia and several other areas of the country.
