DEA makes the biggest meth bust in American history, seizing 2,200 pounds in California

The DEA made the biggest methamphetamine bust in American history this month, seizing more than 2,200 pounds from stash houses in California along with huge hauls of cocaine and heroin. 

Federal agents seized 2,224 pounds of meth, 893 pounds of cocaine and 13 pounds of heroin during raids on several homes in Moreno Valley and Perris in Riverside County on October 2 as part of Operation Crystal Shield.

Operation Crystal Shield is a nationwide operation launched back in February to clamp down on nine major meth trafficking hubs across America including Atlanta, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Diego and St. Louis – which together made up more than 75 percent of all meth seized by the DEA last year. 

The record bust is tied to the notorious Sinaloa cartel in Mexico that is allegedly involved in the distribution of cocaine and meth across Southern California, from where it is then distributed nationwide.   

Federal agents seized 2,224 pounds of meth, 893 pounds of cocaine and 13 pounds of heroin during raids on several homes in Moreno Valley and Perris in Riverside County on October 2 as part of Operation Crystal Shield

The DEA held a press conference Wednesday at its warehouse in Montebello, Los Angeles County, where the 10-foot high pile of the seized drugs were displayed. 

DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea said it was the largest domestic meth seizure in the history of the DEA. 

Agents from Southwest Border Group 2 had been investigating the Sinaloa cartel’s alleged drug-trafficking organization. 

Search warrants were then issued on several stash houses in Moreno Valley and Perris on October 2 as part of the investigation and the stashes of drugs were confiscated. 

‘This is enough dope to prove a dose of meth for every man, women and child in the United States and Mexico. It’s a massive amount,’ said Shea. 

‘These seizures are significant not just because of the sheer volume but because this is a sign of a deeply concerning trend.

‘Meth is pouring into the US through our southern border and is destroying too many communities and, more importantly, too many lives.’   

An image provided by the DEA of narcotics found stashed in a house in Perris, California

DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea (pictured) said it was the largest domestic meth seizure in the history of the DEA

The bust is tied to the notorious Sinaloa cartel in Mexico that is allegedly involved in the distribution of cocaine and meth across Southern California

DEA agent William Bodner said LA was the ‘hub city’ for the meth operation

Shea blamed the prevalence of the drug on several societal issues. 

‘Study after study shows that where there is meth addiction, there is also an uptick in violent crime, including robberies, assaults and murders,’ he said.  

DEA agent William Bodner said LA was the ‘hub city’ for the meth operation, with the drug being trafficked there to then be distributed nationwide.  

‘We are a hub city. There are four major airports here, there’s countless freeways and package and parcel hub centers here that distribute throughout the United States,’ said Bodner.

‘That’s why traffickers prefer to get the drugs here. It’s also a larger city, easier to blend in. 

‘They can break the drug loads down and do distribution throughout the country.’ 

On October 9, US Customs and Border Protection agents also seized more than 3,100 pounds of meth at San Diego’s Otay Mesa border crossing.

Officials said the haul had a wholesale value of $18 million and its street value would be even greater.