The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Atlanta has taken a significant step in its fight against one of Mexico’s most notorious cartels, the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG), by opening a new laboratory to process federal drug seizures more efficiently. This advanced facility, operational since May, enables DEA chemists to test and weigh seized drugs within minutes, greatly accelerating the process previously reliant on external labs which took several days.
Chad Chumbley, DEA Supervisory Forensic Chemist, emphasized the efficiency gain, noting that the new lab allows for immediate testing, unlike the past practice of waiting for chemists from other cities, which could take a day or two. This rapid response capability is vital as federal prosecutors rely on accurate drug testing results to determine charges, highlighting the critical role of DEA chemists in the legal process.
A recent operation in September saw the DEA in Atlanta seize over 1,000 pounds of meth, with agents highlighting the cartel’s tactics of blending drugs with daily items to avoid detection. Special Agent in Charge Robert Murphy noted that the seized meth included over 700 pounds in an apartment with children under ten, demonstrating the cartel’s calculated efforts to blend illegal activities with mundane settings.
The DEA’s intensified efforts against CJNG are part of a nationwide crackdown, with recent seizures including 175 pounds of cocaine from the southern border and 28 pounds of cocaine along with $470,000 from suspected CJNG members in Houston. Brian Leordo, DEA Houston Field Division Deputy Special Agent in Charge, emphasized the importance of targeting the entire network, from producers to money launderers, to dismantle the cartel effectively.
CJNG has risen to prominence following the arrests of key Sinaloa Cartel members, including El Chapo’s son Ovidio Guzmán López and the arrest of Ismael