The U-S Government has seized over 1,300 barrels of chemicals sent to Mexico from China for the purpose of making methamphetamine.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons was among several federal law enforcement officials making the announcement in Texas saying this was a first-of-its-kind warrant used following the Trump administration order designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
"The ability to obtain a warrant for this was only possible because of President Trump's executive order designating the Department of State to designate major drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations," Lyons said.
U-S Attorney Jeanine Pirro says the chemicals were specifically sent to the Sinaloa Cartel which can make about one ton of meth a week.
Pirro says the chemicals would have been used to make 420,000 pounds of methamphetamine.
"Which would have a street value here in Houston of $569-million with a higher street value as you go up the northeastern seaboard to New York City," Pirro said.
Officials estimate that it will take 24 18-wheelers to take the barrels to a safe storage facility.