'Like any other international commerce': Mexican cartels make big business out of Australia's meth trade

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A third of the methylamphetamine that is consumed in Australia is believed to originate in Mexico.

The outdoor laboratory was set in the depths of a remote area in north-western Mexico.

"We are seeing very large-scale drug laboratories operating here in Mexico. A lot of equipment is involved in these operations, [which] might cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1,000,000 to set up.

"It was estimated that lab, near Culiacan, was producing about 20 tonnes of meth per month. Compare that to Australia's wastewater analysis that suggests Australians are using about 10 tonnes of meth per year," Detective Superintendent Jensen said.Methylamphetamine, more commonly known as "ice", is the most commonly consumed illicit substance in Australia, vastly exceeding cocaine, heroin and MDMA.

Australia's demand for ice and the growing supply from Mexico prompted the creation of the AFP Mexico City post, a role which Detective Superintendent Jensen has held since its opening in 2017. "That gives you a scale of what we are dealing with ... cartels are diversifying their business, and part of that is moving into synthetic drugs like meth which they can produce in Mexico, [unlike] cocaine only being produced from coca leaves in South America," he said.

While the bulk of methylamphetamine in Australia is trafficked by commercial shipping, there is no direct shipping between Mexico and Australia. So illicit substances will always reach local shores via Asia or the US, as was the intention for the 1.7 tonnes seized in California in January.Detective Superintendent Jensen said there was no doubt Mexican cartels had Australia in their sights, where high prices for drugs made the long and difficult journey worthwhile.

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Well how is it STILL getting in with modern day security hey hey

And a third of that is used by AFL players.

Quick, build a wall.

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