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.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for everyone, please:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, focused, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.
   
   
2. Do not post personal requests for help or general promotions for your organization (Get help).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.