U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt said that drug cartels are "flooding our streets" with "deadly drugs" following the discovery of 11,000 pounds of methamphetamine near schools in Georgia. Hunt made this statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, on October 7.
"Over 11,000 lbs of meth seized from 2 migrants near multiple schools in Georgia," said U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, U.S. Congressman from Texas. "Cartels are flooding our streets with deadly drugs, putting our children in danger."
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, a methamphetamine conversion lab was uncovered by authorities in a residential neighborhood close to several schools in Marietta, Georgia. Three individuals were arrested in connection with the lab; they are believed to be undocumented immigrants from Guatemala. Authorities seized approximately 500 kilograms (over 1,100 pounds) of methamphetamine valued at $1.5 million. DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert Murphy commented on the situation, saying, "We clearly are making a dent in the chemists they are sending over because these two are from Guatemala. Even though they are associated with the cartel, they came from Guatemala and not from Mexico, so we might hopefully be making a dent."
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The presence of drug cartels and their associates spans all 50 states, as reported by the 2024 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Assessment. These cartels acquire chemical precursors from China and manufacture drugs in Mexico before trafficking them through the southern border into the United States.
Insight Crime reports that annually, Mexico produces approximately 4.5 tons of pure fentanyl and 434 tons of methamphetamine to satisfy U.S. market demand. The cost for chemical components ranges between $9 million and $22.5 million for fentanyl and between $83.3 million and $126.5 million for methamphetamine. Investigations have revealed that these synthetic drugs' chemical precursors have been imported from China through companies such as the Zheng drug trafficking organizations.
The Center for Immigration Studies indicates that cartels' drug trafficking and human smuggling operations generate nearly $1 billion per month, which is used to expand operations across the southwest border into the United States.
Hunt represents Texas' 38th District and is a U.S. Army veteran according to his House website.
