Chihuahua’s Mega Drug Lab: The Industrial Monster Capable of Producing 2.8 Tons of Methamphetamine

The clandestine drug laboratory seized on April 18 in the mountainous region of Chihuahua is the largest ever secured in Mexico, with the capacity to produce up to 2.8 tons of methamphetamine in a single batch, state authorities revealed.

According to sources from the State Attorney General’s Office, this estimated volume corresponds to the output generated each time the laboratory was utilized—a figure that underscores the sheer scale of this clandestine infrastructure.

The drug lab was located between the municipalities of Morelos and Guachochi. It was during the return trip from this operation that the road accident occurred in which the Director of the State Investigation Agency (AEI), Pedro Román Oseguera Cervantes, a ministerial agent, and two agents from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) lost their lives.

The Acting Head of the State Attorney General’s Office, Francisco Sáenz, declined to elaborate on the specific details of the seizure, noting that—because the investigation remains ongoing—it falls to the head of the investigative unit, Wendy Chávez Villanueva, to provide additional information that would allow for a detailed understanding of the magnitude of the operation uncovered in the mountainous region.

“This is an investigation that was formally taken over by the unit itself shortly after its creation; they are the ones in possession of the follow-up information. I can share with you that, from the standpoint of the Attorney General’s Office, all information we held regarding this matter was forwarded to that unit, and they will be the ones to provide any subsequent updates.”

Characteristics and Production Capacity of the Drug Lab

The complex, which featured industrial-scale characteristics, spanned over 800 square meters and housed at least 15 ovens, dozens of large-capacity storage containers, and more than 100 gas cylinders, in addition to various chemicals used for the manufacture of synthetic drugs.

According to the sources consulted, the facility’s production capacity was contingent upon several variables, including the availability of chemical precursors, trained personnel, and supplies of gas and water, as well as prevailing weather and security conditions. Once these variables were met, the production process would take approximately one week to complete—a timeframe that confirms a high level of logistical organization.

In this regard, the State Secretary of Public Security noted that this appears to be one of the largest laboratories ever located in the country—a fact that reflects the magnitude of the blow dealt to criminal organizations.

“The reality is that the operation targeting this laboratory was a major undertaking—one of the largest laboratories, I must say, ever discovered in the country. I am certain that it is the second-largest ever found here in this state. It represents excellent work by the State Attorney General’s Office; we did not participate in that specific operation.”

Authorities emphasize that this seizure deals a financial blow of nearly one billion pesos to the criminal group involved, in addition to having a significant impact on efforts to curb drug trafficking.

Source: Milenio