Rosarito BC: "Mega Bust” of Narco Lab, 235 K’s of Meth + 3 Detained

Translated by Yaqui for Borderland Beat from: Unimexicali

By: Sonia de Anda and UniradioInforma
and El Sol de Tijuana Feb 7, 2018

TIJUANA , BC   In a joint operation carried out between the State Preventive Police (PEP) and the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena),  a large crystal methamphetamine laboratory was located inside a company building that allegedly sold lamps on the Rosarito - Tijuana Highway. It was also next to an Elementary School. Note: I assume this means the "Carretera Libre" not the toll section of Numero Uno, the Transpeninsular Highway.

Three people were arrested,  apparently belonging to the Sinaloa Cartel, and the authorities secured  235 kilos of methamphetamine.

According to information issued by the PEP, the finding of this laboratory is the result of intelligence work carried out with the Sedena after getting information that inside the decorative lamp business, located on José Manuel Toro Street, there was suspicious movement and drugs , so they went  to the building to conduct surveillance.

Once the establishment was located, they saw three people carrying different packages out of the building. The men were detained and a search carried out; the packages contained a granulated substance of white color, apparently a synthetic drug, and the three men were transported downtown. After the arrests, some of the packages were left on the floor at the entrance of the alleged lamp company.

According to the police, the packages were found to contain drugs, apparently "crystal" with an approximate weight of 235 kilos, while the detainees reported that inside the building are implements and other equipment for processing large quantities of  methamphetamine. 

They claim the processing facility was the largest in the region for distribution to "tienditas ", ie the so-called "small shops", for distribution locally while the rest was crossed into the United States, the product belonging to the Sinaloa Cartel.

The suspects were identified as José Manuel "N", 49, in charge of monitoring and "cooking" methamphetamine, Fernando Javier "N", 31, in charge of coordinating the staff to carry out the elaboration procedure.  Onesimus "N", 41, who was responsible for obtaining the chemical precursors.

The drugs along with the detainees were placed at the disposal of the corresponding federal authority, while the place was cordoned off and awaiting the corresponding search warrant for further inspection of the facility, since it is presumed that there are more drugs inside and equipment to bed confiscated and destroyed.

Meanwhile today , Feb 7, in Tijuana, an abandoned white Dodge Caravan without plates was found with the drivers door open and it contained nearly a half a ton of marijuana.  The vehicle contained 50 packets weighing 518 kilograms and were confiscated by the joint efforts of Sedena, SSPM and GOE, the Strategic Operations Group.