Nearly 500 Lbs. of Liquid Meth Worth Up to $3M Found in Crashed Minivan

Two people died after the van crashed in Fort Worth, Texas, and authorities discovered the massive drug haul.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of several large plastic buckets filled with a purple liquid substance, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A massive drug bust reveals the dangerous scale of the liquid meth trade in Texas.Fort Worth Today

Police in Fort Worth, Texas, discovered nearly 500 lbs. of what is believed to be liquid methamphetamine worth up to $3 million inside a minivan that crashed, killing two people. The substance was found in 10 large plastic buckets emitting strong fumes, and a firefighter was hospitalized after exposure to the chemicals.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing problem of large-scale drug trafficking and the dangers it poses to public safety, especially when volatile substances are involved in crashes. The discovery of such a massive quantity of liquid meth raises concerns about the scale of the drug trade and the need for enhanced law enforcement efforts to combat it.

The details

Authorities responded to a car accident in Fort Worth on April 16 and found a deceased adult male passenger and another adult male driver who was pronounced dead at the scene. During the investigation, firefighters discovered 10 large plastic buckets filled with a purple liquid that preliminary tests indicated was likely methamphetamine. The buckets had a combined weight of about 480 lbs. and a potential street value of $1 million to $3 million. A firefighter was hospitalized after exposure to the substance but was expected to be released the next day.

  • The incident occurred on April 16, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • Authorities responded to the crash at approximately 11:28 a.m. local time.

The players

Fort Worth Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the crash and discovered the large quantity of suspected liquid methamphetamine.

Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

The federal agency that responded to the scene to collect, analyze, and dispose of the hazardous materials found in the crashed minivan.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Buddy Calzada, Spokesperson, Fort Worth Police Department

“Lucky that this vehicle didn't, you know, sideswipe that [initial vehicle], and then end up into a house. I mean, what would have happened then?”

— Buddy Calzada, Spokesperson, Fort Worth Police Department

What’s next

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office will release the identities and official causes of death for the two deceased individuals once available. The DEA will continue to investigate the source and distribution network behind the large quantity of suspected liquid methamphetamine.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the grave public safety risks posed by large-scale drug trafficking operations, especially when volatile substances are involved in crashes or other incidents. It highlights the need for enhanced law enforcement efforts to combat the growing methamphetamine trade and its devastating impacts on communities.