Last week, Mexican authorities seized over 23 tons of ethyl phenylacetate, which is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The drug component was discovered at the Pacific port of Manzanillo, in a shipment from China.
In April 2010, Mexican officials seized 80 tons of phenylacetic acid and its derivatives shipped from Shanghai, China. Imports of ethyl phenylacetate require authorization from the country’s health ministry, so the shipments are intentionally mis-labeled before leaving China.
Last year, an anonymous U.S. official told Reuters that between October and November 2010, Mexican authorities seized 818 tons of chemicals used in making crystal meth.
Due to rampant corruption among port officials, the cartels are allowed to receive large shipments of the chemicals from China which are transported to meth labs throughout Mexico.
The chemicals are used in a production process known as phenyl-2-propanone (P2P method), and cost much less than pseudoephedrine, thus increasing the cartels’ profits.
In 2009 alone, the Mexican police and military found 215 meth labs, a 400 percent increase of the labs discovered in 2008.
90 percent of the methamphetamine sold in the U.S. is brought into this country from Mexico and distributed by several street gangs such as the notoriously violent MS-13.
Comments
This is an example of supply and demand at work in the free market.
It is doubtful that China is responsible for the meth ingredients being mislabeled. More probably it is the bribed work of Chinese officials handling the shipment as individuals. At this point those individuals should be concerned about severe consequences of their actions. Execution is a likely fate in China for a crime of this nature.
You are making the assumption that a violation of Chinese law has occured.
Well I guess there is no corruption anywhere else - its all them other nations - America is clean and without faults - come on - America has plenty of problems like corruption in the courts, police corruption, corruption of public officials, heck ever journalist are corrupt with bias and prejudice of their own kind in the way they report things - its obvious - but this is America where at least we do have freedom of speech rights - so I thank goodness for that but the subjective attention on whatever issue is many times slanted.
when my ex wife died of an allergic reaction from a drug sent from China - nobody cared - her kids went through alot of emotional trauma and nobody cared - but you are going to tell me what is important for an issue - everything is - not just one thing.
China will sell any thing to any one out side of China, China is polluting the Philippines and other Asian countries. The drug cartel of North America and South America are the biggest buyers. As far using in CHINA will get you a 9mm in back of the head! As long as the drug is going to U.S. god speed!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!