Mexico police catch 11 cartel suspects at meth lab

The Associated Press
3:18 p.m. July 25, 2009

MEXICO CITY — Mexican police say they have captured 11 suspected members of the La Familia cartel and seized a methamphetamine lab in the western state of Michoacan.

The Public Safety Department says federal police detected the lab allegedly operated by La Familia after a strong chemical smell was reported in a rural area of the state.

The department says the lab produced about 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of crystal meth each week.

Lab operators packaged the drugs, loaded them into pickup trucks and sent them to the United States.

Police said they seized two rifles in the Saturday raid. The suspects are being held on suspicion of drug offenses.

So far this year, police say they have seized 40 drug labs operated by the La Familia cartel.

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