Nearly 500 Lbs. of Liquid Meth Worth Up to $3 Million Found in Minivan Involved in Crash That Killed 2 People

The substance was found in 10 large plastic buckets

NEED TO KNOW

• Two people died after a van crash in Fort Worth, Texas, and authorities discovered nearly 500 lbs. of what was likely liquid methamphetamine inside the vehicle
• The liquid, which emitted strong fumes, was found in 10 plastic buckets
• Officials said the substance has an estimated street value of up to $3 million

Police found nearly 500 lbs. of liquid meth — potentially worth an estimated $3 million — after a minivan crashed in Texas, killing two people.

Police and fire officials responded to a reported car accident in Fort Worth on Thursday, April 16, at approximately 11:28 a.m. local time, according to a media release shared by the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) on Facebook.

Upon arrival, authorities learned that a car had struck an unoccupied parked vehicle before coming to a stop a “short distance” away. 

First responders found a deceased adult male in the passenger seat of the vehicle. They provided medical care to an adult male in the driver’s seat, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene, per the release.

“During the investigation of the accident, Fort Worth Fire discovered a large amount of an unknown chemical inside the vehicle,” the FWPD continued, adding that the area was secured and narcotics officers were called to the scene.

Police said that “ten white plastic buckets full of liquid” were found inside the vehicle. 

Photos shared in the release show two people in hazmat suits investigating a black van, as well as buckets filled with a purple liquid. 

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The liquid — which was emitting “very strong” fumes — was tested, and preliminary results indicated it was likely methamphetamine, per the FWPD.

The FWPD stated that the buckets had a combined weight of about 480 lbs., and that the substance has a potential street value of between $1 million and $3 million.

A Fort Worth firefighter was taken to the hospital after exposure to the substance, but was expected to be released the following day and was “in good condition,” per police.

Fort Worth Fire did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment regarding the firefighter’s current condition.

“The DEA [Federal Drug Enforcement Agency] Clandestine Lab responded to the scene to collect, analyze and dispose of the hazardous materials,” the FWPD said.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

The names of the two deceased individuals have not been released, though a spokesperson for the FWPD told PEOPLE that the Tarrant County Medical Examiner will release their identities and official causes of death once available.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

While speaking to local outlet NBC DFW, Buddy Calzada, a spokesperson for the FWPD, said the situation could have potentially been much worse.

“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,” he said.

“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?” Calzada added.

Read the full article here