Mexico's naval and customs officers have seized nearly nine tons of liquid methamphetamine hidden in tequila bottles that were ready to be shipped abroad, theSecretariat of the Navy announced.

Authorities in Mexico have reportedly identified several tequila vendors as front companies in an alleged money laundering operation run by one of the country’s most powerful drug syndicates. The move reflects a broader change in tactics by Mexico’s government, targeting cartels' pockets and the systemic causes of crime rather than opting for direct military action.