STATEWIDE - A federal judge sentenced 33 year-old Adrian Pineda-Orozco, an undocumented immigrant living in the Houston area, to 50 years in federal prison for his role in smuggling over 43 kilos of liquid meth.

"The heavy sentence imposed on Orozco sends a clear message that there are serious consequences for trafficking in narcotics," says Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden of the Homeland Security Investigations office.

Orozco was busted by federal authorities at a port of entry in Eagle Pass. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Wendell Campbell says his agents have noticed an uptick in Mexican cartels exporting large amounts of the drug — especially along the I-35 corridor.

"Some of that is because of population growth. Some of it is just because of connections that occur," said Campbell.

He says meth has become the number one drug threat in San Antonio, Austin and Waco. But for organized crime, it’s an opportunity.

"The methamphetamine is a very profitable drug. It’s made very cheaply in Mexico. We estimate that the majority, the vast majority, of meth in the United States comes from Mexico because of what we refer to as super labs set up in Mexico," said Campbell.

These so-called super labs, according to the DEA, are professional-grade processors generating large supplies of drugs to transport in either powder, crystal or liquid forms.

"They are producing methamphetamine literally 24 hours a day. There is no growing season. It is a chemically made drug. It’s very addictive. Methamphetamine really hooks that user in very strongly," said Campbell.

As far as turning the trend around, Campbell said a societal shift is necessary.

"Looking at taking the profit out of it really starts with us as a culture - really not having such a high demand for drugs," he said. 

The Homeland Security Investigations unit worked in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the DEA and the Houston Police Department on this case.