With U.S. Crackdowns, Meth Labs Proliferate in Mexico May 10, 2005
News Summary
As more U.S. states crack down on illicit methamphetamine labs and tighten control over the chemicals used to make the drug, more meth labs are popping up in the border regions of Mexico, Reuters reported May 9.The Mexican state of Baja California has experienced rapid growth in both meth labs and users, boosting the finances of local drug cartels and also contributing to growing violence. In Tijuana alone there are an estimated 60,000 meth users, and 300 deaths last year were attributed to the drug trade, officials say. Up to 5,000 drug kiosks sell meth in $5 bags across the city. Even some seemingly legitimate pharmacies sell the drug.
As supplies of meth-making chemicals from the U.S. dried up, Mexican cartels began buying them wholesale from China and setting up "super labs" in Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, Rosarito, and other cities to produce large batches of meth.
"We are seeing a dramatic decrease in meth super labs that used to plague San Diego, and the majority of the methamphetamine that we are now seeing is of Mexican origin," said DEA regional spokesman Misha Piastro.
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