U.S. Seizes Record 300,000 Kilos Meth Chemicals Houston Port

U.S. federal law enforcement officials announced the largest seizure in U.S. history of methamphetamine precursor chemicals, intercepting 12 shipping containers weighing over 300,000 kilograms at the Houston port. These chemicals, shipped from China and destined for labs controlled by Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel, could have produced nearly 190,000 kilos of methamphetamine valued at approximately $569 million. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the deadly impact such drugs have on Americans, highlighting the seizure's importance in preventing further deaths. Homeland Security Investigations and ICE officials noted the strategic focus on disrupting supply chains of precursor chemicals rather than finished drugs. The bust was facilitated by the Sinaloa Cartel's designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in January 2025, which expanded prosecutorial authority under terrorism forfeiture laws. The operation is part of broader efforts to combat the rising overdose deaths, with over 34,800 Americans dying from psychostimulant overdoses in 2023.