By The opinion
Mar 28, 2024, 11:56 AM EDT
More than 14 years ago the Mexican Army found a mega drug laboratory in the Tamazula mountains, in the state of Durango, the site was in turn a VIP camp in which the senior officers of the Sinaloa Cartel. Its infrastructure surprised everyone and, despite the passage of time, the site continues to be remembered.
The soldiers arrived by land, walking, they had flown over the place, but it was built so as not to be visible from the air, it had vegetation that camouflaged it perfectly, so it was perfect for figures like Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel They will settle there for a time.
It was August 2009 when the site was located, it was described as one of the largest drug laboratories in Latin America and although the fact was already newsworthy in itself, it became more relevant as the place was completely discovered and it was learned that “low-level” cartel employees did not live there.
Located in the region known as the Golden Triangle – one of the largest heroin and marijuana production sites in Mexico, according to the now defunct Attorney General’s Office (PGR) – This VIP drug laboratory had 240 hectares and 22 modules used for different purposes.
The place was excellent for hiding, since its difficult-to-access geography made it ideal for drug traffickers, so the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel chose it to hide, but not as if they were just anyone, since they conditioned it to be a place of hiding. high level.
VIP cabins
After its discovery, CNN reported that Mexican authorities said that the drug laboratory had high-level technology and described it as “the first complex of its kind” located in Mexico.
A synthetic drug known as “Ice” was manufactured there; in one of the complex’s cabins, chemical precursors to make it were also found, as well as storage drums and other accessories.
The other cabins fulfilled different functions, Some were gyms, others were laundries, and others were luxury bedrooms.In one of them there was a high-speed internet connection, a plasma screen, air conditioning, king size beds, mini bars and full bathrooms.
In the room built for someone of higher rank, a catalog was found with women of all nationalities who provided sex services, according to the weekly Proceso reported at that time.
But what really surprised the authorities and the media was the planning of the drug complex, which showed that all types of people, including professionals, collaborate with organized crime.
The place had a viewpoint where you could see in all directions. in a range of 24 kilometers. Armed guards were installed there to ensure that no one outside the organization approached.
In addition, the site was powered by three fuel-based electric power generating plants, which allowed all facilities to have lighting and ventilation. It also allowed the operation of pumps for the distribution of drinking water throughout the mountain.
However, everything changed in 2009 and a mega-operation by the Armed Forces ended the clandestinity of this VIP drug laboratory of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Keep reading:
– From a day of shopping to a cake: The carelessness of major drug traffickers that led to their arrests.
– The Tijuana Cartel, the criminal organization that broke the drug codes and stained Mexico with blood.