MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities have dealt a major blow to the country’s illegal synthetic-drug industry after seizing approximately 16.8 tons of suspected methamphetamine and shutting down three clandestine laboratories in Sinaloa, including a sprawling facility covering about 5,700 square meters.
The operation, carried out by Mexico’s Navy, the Attorney General’s Office and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, took place around the communities of Corralejo and Corral Viejo on September 2 and 3.
Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch described the operation as one of the administration’s most significant blows against synthetic-drug production since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office.
The largest site, discovered near Corralejo on September 3, contained approximately 16,350 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine at different stages of production, according to Mexico’s Navy. Authorities also seized about 4,350 liters of chemical precursors and other substances, as well as roughly 5,700 kilograms of solid materials used in the manufacturing process.
Massive laboratory ranked among the largest
The 5,700-square-meter complex was identified by Mexican authorities as the second-largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory discovered during the current administration.
Officials estimated that dismantling the facility caused criminal organizations an economic loss of approximately $347 million, largely by cutting into their production capacity, logistics and finances.
The operation was reportedly supported by intelligence work from Mexico’s Naval Intelligence Unit and information exchanged with U.S. agencies, highlighting the growing importance of intelligence cooperation in efforts to disrupt synthetic-drug supply chains.
Two more laboratories uncovered
The massive Corralejo facility was not the only target.
On September 2, authorities discovered another clandestine laboratory in the Corralejo area measuring approximately 800 square meters. Investigators reported finding 300 kilograms of finished suspected methamphetamine, 645 liters of product still being processed, and additional chemical precursors and equipment.
A separate facility of about 450 square meters was also dismantled near Corral Viejo. Authorities reported seizing another 160 kilograms of suspected finished methamphetamine, 200 liters of essential chemicals and about 1,750 kilograms of dual-use substances, along with equipment used in drug production.
Together, the three facilities covered approximately 6,950 square meters, according to the Mexican security authorities.
More than 18 tons seized in recent operations
The latest operation forms part of a broader campaign against clandestine synthetic-drug production.
Mexico’s Navy said that after five clandestine laboratories were disabled in recent weeks, authorities had removed approximately 18.2 tons of methamphetamine from production, along with around 10 tons and 6,845 liters of chemical precursors.
Officials estimated that those five operations collectively represented a financial blow of more than $400 million to criminal organizations.
The Mexican government has framed the raids as part of its continuing national security strategy aimed at disrupting the production infrastructure and supply networks used by organized criminal groups.
Why the Sinaloa operation matters
Sinaloa has long been one of Mexico’s most important regions in the country’s organized-crime landscape. The scale of the latest laboratory discovery underscores the industrial nature of some synthetic-drug operations, where large clandestine facilities can process substantial quantities of drugs and chemical inputs.
The operation also comes amid intensified pressure on Mexican authorities to curb the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, particularly those linked to cross-border criminal networks.
For now, Mexican authorities have emphasized the seizure and destruction of the laboratories and materials. The official reports reviewed for this story did not announce arrests connected specifically to these three laboratory seizures.
The sheer volume of methamphetamine seized, however, makes the operation one of the most significant recent actions against synthetic-drug production in Mexico—and raises the question of how many other large-scale facilities may still be operating beyond the reach of authorities.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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