Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today unveiled the Methamphetamine Kingpin Elimination Act of 2007 (H.R. 3143). The bill would increase penalties for drug kingpin offenses and authorizes an additional $20 million for multi-jurisdictional methamphetamine task forces. Smith is a member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine.

Though the number of meth labs in the U.S. has declined since Congress enacted the Combat Meth Epidemic Act last year restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine (a key ingredient in the manufacture of the drug), it is estimated as much as 80 percent of the meth in the U.S. comes from Mexico. Unlike the small U.S. labs, Mexican drug cartels are creating “super labs,” which produce huge quantities of meth to be smuggled north to the United States.

“It is past time to stop the flood of meth coming across our border, and to crack down on the thugs making millions peddling this dangerous drug. Meth devastates not only those who abuse the drug, but their families and their communities as well. From rural districts like mine to urban areas, we must do all we can to end the scourge of meth in this country,” Smith said.

The introduction of the bill comes after the Monday arrest of alleged methamphetamine trafficker Zhenli Ye Gon in Wheaton, Maryland. Police raided the accused’s Mexico City mansion in March, where they found more than $207 million, most of which was stashed behind false walls and in closets. Zhenli Ye Gon is accused of supplying Mexican drug cartels with massive quantities of restricted chemicals to make methamphetamine.