JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A drug bust of 4,000 pounds of liquid meth by the Atlanta Drug Enforcement Administration agents potentially stopped the drugs from making its way to Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida.
The drugs were stored in large trash containers with multiple containers labeled as “acetone,” DEA agents said.
According to the DEA, agents seized the liquid before it could be solidified or converted into 4,000 pounds of crystal meth.
Also, during the raid, agents seized 158 pounds of crystal meth that had already been solidified.
“It’s just crazy to think of the potential for that amount of drugs to be on our streets,” Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney said. “You could go all the way down to the Florida Keys with that much volume.”
One impact that could have been felt had the drugs come to Jacksonville is an increase in overdoses.
Florida Poison Control spokesperson, Mike McCormick, said the higher the purity, the higher the high for users, but that also increases the chance for a deadly overdose.
“We spend so much time talking about opioid overdoses, but this is completely different, so Narcan is not going to help somebody overdosing on crystal meth,” McCormick said.
Hackney said Jacksonville already has its fair share of gun violence and meth this pure that is worth millions of dollars would attract even more violence.
“You’ve got to protect your investment. You’ve got to protect your interest, and that comes with violence. So yes, there’s going to be gunplay,” he said.