DEA announces record-breaking meth bust tied to cartel in Southern California

Updated: Oct 17, 2020 / 07:29 PM CDT

SAN DIEGO (NewsNation Now) — The Drug Enforcement Administration in Los Angeles County announced a record-breaking seizure of meth Wednesday. The DEA said a total of 2,224 pounds of meth was seized Oct. 2 in an investigation of a drug-trafficking organization tied to the Sinaloa cartel.

The truck also contained 64 pounds (29 kilograms) of heroin, 29 pounds (13.1 kilograms) of fentanyl powder and almost 37 pounds (16.7 kilograms) of fentanyl pills, the agency said.

#DEA Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea, Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner & local law enforcement discussing the largest domestic methamphetamine seizure in #DEA history. Approx. 893 pounds of cocaine, 13 pounds of heroin & 2,224 pounds of methamphetamine. pic.twitter.com/gdeO80nGNK
— DEALosAngeles (@DEALOSANGELES) October 14, 2020

The meth seizure is the largest domestic methamphetamine seizure in DEA history, officials said. The driver, identified only as a 47-year-old Mexican citizen, was arrested.

The investigation led to search warrants at multiple narcotic stash houses in Moreno Valley and Perris in Riverside County, officials said.

NewsNation affiliate KSWB and The Associated Press contributed to this report.