Mexico’s government announced Thursday that it had seized over 14 million doses of fentanyl—a significant discovery in its ongoing efforts to curb the influx of powerful opioids into the United States. The Public Security ministry detailed that the drugs were discovered during raids on a clandestine drug laboratory and warehouse located in Villa de Alvarez, an impoverished area in western Colima state.
At the found facility, authorities uncovered approximately 270 kilograms of substances with fentanyl-like characteristics, including both powder and pill forms, equating to about 14 million doses. The ministry stated that six people were arrested but did not specify when the operation occurred or estimated the street value of the drugs. Officials noted this was not a record-breaking haul for fentanyl seizures, citing another recent operation in 2024 that yielded an additional ton of the drug.
The raids come amid heightened tensions between President Donald Trump and Mexico over cartel activities. Despite the United States capturing and killing a notorious drug lord earlier, Trump has intensified his criticism of Mexican authorities’ handling of the issue, declaring at a summit with right-wing Latin American leaders in Florida that cartels are “running Mexico” and committing to eradicating them.
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico counters this claim, accusing U.S. weapons as fueling cartel activities and calling on Washington to halt the flow of firearms across the border.
In addition to these operations, Mexican authorities have been frequent with finding clandestine laboratories. Last month, naval personnel uncovered a hidden laboratory in Durango state, where they discovered over 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine. Over just a few days in January, four additional laboratories were raided—one in Durango, also found chemical precursors and another stockpile; one in Sinaloa, home to the infamous cartel notorious for its presence there; and one in Michoacán.
In recent weeks, Mexico has experienced increased violence due to a military operation that resulted in the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” The operation took place in western Jalisco state, where he operated. Authorities found chemical precursors and laboratory equipment during their raid.
Kerry Breen contributed to this report.