{
  "id": 11236155,
  "title": "Mexico’s CJNG Cartel Tried to Set Up a Meth Lab in Chile, Antofagasta Prosecutor Says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/mexicos-cjng-cartel-tried-to-set-up-a-meth-lab-in-chile-antofagasta",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T16:51:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Rio Times",
    "slug": "the-rio-times",
    "url": "https://www.riotimesonline.com/chile-cjng-cartel-presence-antofagasta-prosecutor-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A senior prosecutor in Chile has confirmed that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) from Mexico attempted to set up a methamphetamine lab in the country. Juan Castro Bekios, the regional prosecutor for Antofagasta, revealed this information during an interview on Radio Pauta. The plot, which dates back to 2024-2025, involved the construction of a lab in the industrial zone of Antofagasta, but was later relocated to Lolol, a rural district in the O'Higgins region, due to logistical reasons. The primary objective was to produce and export crystallized methamphetamine to lucrative international markets.\n\nIn September 2024, 36 paint buckets containing dissolved methamphetamine were shipped from Mexico's Manzanillo port to Chile. In January 2025, an anti-narcotics unit of the Carabineros police conducted a raid on a farm in Lolol, arresting two Mexican citizens who were in the process of extracting the drug. The officers seized 844 kilograms of methamphetamine, leading to charges of drug trafficking, drug production, possession of chemical precursors, and criminal association. Both men are facing a combined total of 35 years in prison.\n\nSince the beginning of Castro Bekios' term in October 2023, the Antofagasta region has seized a total of 125.8 tonnes of drugs. The prosecutor emphasized the importance of rapid response teams when drug shipments are detected. He also mentioned that marijuana constitutes more than 80% of the regional seizures, while ketamine seizures have been on the rise. Castro Bekios expressed the need for improved inspection procedures and called for better collaboration and joint teams with neighboring countries to tackle the drug problem. He also noted that there is no evidence suggesting the presence of Brazil's PCC (First Capital Command gang) in Chile but cautioned about the possibility of their involvement via the Bioceanic Corridor road linking Brazil to Chile's ports.",
  "summary": "Mexico's CJNG cartel had an active presence in Chile, a prosecutor says, tied to a foiled meth lab plot and 844 kg seized. Two men face trial soon. The post Mexico’s CJNG Cartel Tried to Set Up a Meth Lab in Chile, Antofagasta Prosecutor Says appeared first on The Rio Times .",
  "key_points": [
    "Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) attempted to set up meth lab in Chile.",
    "Lab construction moved from Antofagasta to rural O Higgins region in 2024-2025.",
    "844 kg of methamphetamine seized in Lolol farm raid in January 2025."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}