How the Sinaloa cartel turned a South African farm into a $1 billion meth lab
Mexican chemists posed as tourists. What they built was a billion-dollar drug operation.
The Sinaloa cartel transformed a South African farm into a massive $1 billion methamphetamine production facility, according to recent police discoveries. Mexican officials believe these individuals were chemists hired by the cartel to establish an industrial meth lab on a game reserve near the town of Swartruggens. The lab was able to produce five tonnes of crystal meth monthly, equivalent to around $1 billion in wholesale value in Australia, and even more on the streets.
South Africa serves as an ideal location for meth production due to its expansive landscapes, global sea and air connections, and corruption. The Australian police have confirmed an increase in Mexican cartel activity targeting their illicit drug market, but they won't comment on Sinaloa cartel operations in South Africa. Seizures have revealed the cartel's use of the P2P method, involving chemicals imported from China and India.
The cartel establishes labs on isolated farms near major roads, requiring continuous deliveries of chemicals and quick transportation of the final product.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
