Port of Long Beach, CA: Customs and Border Protection Seized Record-Setting 1.7 Tons of Meth Worth $1.29 Billion
February 13, 2019 in News by RBN Staff
Source: Need To Know | ABC
US border officials made the largest methamphetamine drug bust on US soil at the Long Beach port in mid-January. Three shipping containers, intended to be exported to Australia, were filled with speakers stuffed with 3,810 pounds of meth, and also contained 55.9 pounds of cocaine and 11.5 pounds of heroin. Australian officials said the total street value of the haul was $1.29 billion and contained 17 million doses. Authorities arrested two Americans and four Australians, but they have not disclosed whether the drugs were manufactured in America or who supplied them.The bust is the third major seizure in a matter of weeks by border officials. The other two busts were in Arizona, including the seizure of 254 pounds of fentanyl, the largest ever bust for that drug, on January 31st and 3,500 pounds of marijuana and over 220 pounds of meth near Gila Bend.
A joint drug bust between Australian and U.S. authorities in mid-January resulted in a record 1.7 tons of methamphetamine being seized at Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport.
Customs and Border Protection announced the seizure of the three containers on Thursday, which were intended to be shipped to Australia before being searched on Jan. 11. The containers were filled with speakers “artfully” stuffed with the drugs.
“There’s no question that the criminal organization behind this scheme has been dealt a significant blow,” Joseph Macias, special agent-in-charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles, said in a statement. “Along with our law enforcement partners here and around the world, we continue in a day-to-day battle against the blight of methamphetamine that continues to devastate our communities. Through a collaborative effort — pooling our information, resources and expertise — we are keeping this dangerous contraband from reaching our streets and potentially saving lives.” In addition to the 3,810 pounds of meth, the shipment also contained 55.9 pounds of cocaine and 11.5 pounds of heroin. Australian officials said the total street value of the haul was $1.29 billion.
The bust was the largest amount of methamphetamine ever seized in the United States, according to police.
Authorities said six people have been arrested in the scheme — two Americans and four Australians. The Americans were identified by Australian police as a 52-year-old man and 46-year-old woman living in Woodstock, Victoria.