The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Chicago Division has recovered what they say is the largest amount of methamphetamine ever seized by the agency thanks to a tip off from the driver.
The drugs were found in six duffel bags along I-70 in Putnam County, just west of Indianapolis, Indiana, reported WDRB.
Speaking to CBS 4, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mike Gannon said they received a call from a driver who said he spotted the bags by the side of the road and called authorities in Putnam County.
Gannon said the bags contained 225 pounds of meth, with a street value of more than $10 million.
"We found 225 pounds of methamphetamine, which is the largest seizure in the state of Indiana and within the Chicago Division," Gannon said.
The DEA Chicago Division covers Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Gannon said the huge haul of drugs are likely linked to major Mexican drugs gangs.
"You can guarantee that's coming from one of two cartels, and that's either going to be the Sinaloa Cartel or Cartel Jalisco New Generation, known as CJNG," Gannon said
"They're the two Mexican cartels that are flooding our community and our country with methamphetamine."
The meth has since been taken to a laboratory in Chicago. Anyone with information about the drugs are being asked to call the DEA at (812) 465-6457.
"We all live in this community," Gannon added. "Our job is to protect people and make the community a safe place to live.
"When you have drug dealers that are trying to destroy people's lives and families by pedaling that poison in our community, we take it personal, and our job is to put them in jail where they belong."
Earlier this month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 93 pounds worth of meth after intercepting a trailer as it crossed over the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas.
Officials said the street value of the meth occurred on Friday, September 11, had a street value of more than $1.8 million.
The trailer, which was arriving from Mexico, was stopped by CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility. The 1999 Wabash National trailer was referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, which is when the 92.99 pounds of drugs contained in several bags were found.
"Intercepting narcotics is an important part of the mission of Customs and Border Protection and now these drugs are off the streets," said Andrew Douglas, Acting Port Director, Laredo Port of Entry.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, domestic policy ... Read more
