Texas Minivan Crash Unveils Methamphetamine Contraband Worth $3 Million On The Run

The Fort Worth Police Department, Texas, responded to a reported crash Thursday. First responders who arrived at the scene noted that a minivan had struck an unoccupied parked vehicle before coming to a stop nearby just a few steps away.

The driver of the minivan, identified as an adult man, was critically injured. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. During further investigation, authorities found a large quantity of chemicals inside the vehicle.

The discovered chemicals were later identified as liquid methamphetamine by narcotics officers called to the scene. The police revealed that the substance was kept in ten white plastic buckets.

Officers wore hazmat suits while investigating the contents of these buckets. The buckets emitted strong fumes, and testing confirmed the substance was methamphetamine.

One of the attending firefighters, unfortunately, was rushed to the hospital after his exposure to the chemical. He was expected to be released the following day, after responding well to treatment.

Police, based on an initial investigation, said the buckets of methamphetamine had a combined weight of about 480 pounds. Based on the amount, it was estimated to have a street value of at least $3 million.

A statement from the Fort Worth Police Department outlined the next steps after the discovery of liquid methamphetamine in the minivan crash. They said, “During the investigation of the accident, Fort Worth Fire discovered a large amount of an unknown chemical inside the vehicle. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Clandestine Lab responded to the scene to collect, analyze and dispose of the hazardous materials.”

Meanwhile, authorities have not yet released much information about the deceased driver and passenger of the minivan. Their identities will be released after the coroner’s office confirms their cause of death.

Methamphetamine is an illegal drug and a highly addictive synthetic central nervous system stimulant. It is known to increase alertness, energy and feelings of euphoria. The drug is commonly referred to as meth, crystal or ice.

A spokesperson for the FWPD later informed of the alarming nature of the hazardous drug that has been discovered. He explained that if the vehicle had turned post the crash, it would have been more fatal.

Buddy Calzada said, “You have hundreds of pounds of this liquid Meth on the roadway. It's making it unsafe. What if this vehicle had crashed and rolled over? You know, there's a lot of what-ifs on this. Lucky that this vehicle didn't, you know, sideswipe that [initial vehicle], and then end up in a house. I mean, what would have happened then?”