Mexican troops shut down meth lab

Mexico City, Mar 9 (EFE).- Mexican soldiers found and dismantled a methamphetamine lab in the western state of Michoacan, seizing 300 kilograms of crystal meth and a ton of ephedrine, the defense department said Tuesday.

Troops discovered the lab while on patrol near the village of Francisco Pichataro.

Two people - whose identities were not released by authorities - were arrested at the lab.

Besides the meth and the ephedrine, which is the main ingredient in methamphetamine, soldiers confiscated 6,000 liters (1,585 gallons) of hydrochloric acid, 4,000 liters (1,062 gallons) of acetone, 600 liters (159 gallons) of sulfuric acid, 625 kilos (1,375 pounds) of caustic soda, a like quantity of tartaric acid and 2,500 liters (660 gallons) of assorted other chemicals.

The installation was located in a wooded area and inside the lab authorities found dozens of glass containers in which to mix chemical solutions, pipettes, thermometers, vats, industrial uniforms and small reactors.

Michoacan is the home turf of La Familia Michoacana, a criminal organization whose main business is the production and trafficking of methamphetamine, most of it intended for the U.S. market.