More than 300,000 kilograms of chemicals used to produce methamphetamine were seized by agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at the Port of Houston this week. The chemicals, which originated in China, were intended for clandestine laboratories controlled by Mexico’s Sinaloa Drug Cartel.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Ferris Pirro described the seizure as unprecedented. “This is the largest seizure of precursor chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine in U.S. history,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “China was sending over 700,000 lbs on the high seas to the Sinaloa Cartel before my office seized them. Because President Trump and Secretary Rubio declared the Sinaloa Cartel a Foreign Terrorist Organization, we can now strike faster and hit harder.”
Jud Murdock, Director of Field Operations for Customs and Border Protection in Houston, commented on the connection between these chemicals and organized crime. “These many barrels of precursor chemicals are directly linked to one of the most dangerous and deadly terrorist networks, the Sinaloa Cartel. It’s one of the most violent and brutal terrorist organizations in the world. They are responsible for countless deaths, devastation, and destruction of communities in the U.S. and abroad,” said Murdock. “This represents one of the largest interdictions of its kind in history and highlights the critical role of collaboration and intel sharing in combating threats posed by drug trafficking organization and terrorist groups.”
The shipment included six containers each of benzyl alcohol (164,880 kilos) and N-methyl formamide (151,560 kilos), both solvents commonly used in pharmaceutical manufacturing but also utilized in illicit drug production. Authorities estimate that if processed into methamphetamine, these chemicals could have produced nearly 190,000 kilos with a street value around $569 million.
To transport all seized materials from port to secure storage required twenty-four 18-wheeler trucks due to their volume.
For comparison, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported seizing a total of 78,925 kilos of methamphetamine along the entire southwest border during Fiscal Year 2024.
The legal authority for this seizure came from a warrant obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia after federal authorities designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on January 20, 2025.
Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz (HSI Houston), Director Jud Murdock (CBP Houston), Acting Special Agent William Kimbell (DEA Houston), and FBI Special Agent Douglas Williams (Houston Field Office) joined officials in announcing these actions.
The prosecution is part of an ongoing effort led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C., combining resources from its National Security section’s Threat Finance Unit and Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking section under its Cartel Elimination initiative.
This action aligns with a directive issued by the Attorney General on February 5, 2025 that calls for increased efforts across federal agencies to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations threatening U.S. sovereignty.
A livestream regarding this case is available at https://www.youtube.com/@usao_dc/streams
