Feds seize record 300,000 kilos of meth precursor chemicals in Houston port bust

HOUSTON (CW39) – Federal agents have made the largest seizure in U.S. history of chemicals used to make methamphetamine, stopping a massive shipment linked to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Houston intercepted more than 300,000 kilograms of meth-making chemicals shipped from China and destined for cartel-controlled labs in Mexico.

Officials said the seizure prevented the production of nearly 190,000 kilos of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $569 million.

Chemicals seized

• 164,880 kilos of benzyl alcohol (six shipping containers) – a solvent used in pharmaceuticals.
• 151,560 kilos of N-methyl formamide (six shipping containers) – another liquid solvent.

In total, 12 shipping containers filled with the chemicals were seized. It took 24 eighteen-wheeler trucks to haul the massive load to secure HSI storage.

Those attending the announcement in Pasadena, are

• U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro
• ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons
• HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz
• CBP Houston Director of Field Operations Jud Murdock
• DEA Houston Acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell
• FBI Houston SAC Douglas Williams

Related Statistics

• In all of Fiscal Year 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized just 78,925 kilos of meth along the southwest border.
• The seizure was made possible after the Sinaloa Cartel was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization in January 2025, giving prosecutors expanded legal authority under terrorism forfeiture provisions.
• In 2023, more than 34,800 Americans died from overdoses involving psychostimulants, primarily methamphetamine.