It's not weapons or drugs, but it is what's known as a chemical precursor used to make meta-amphetamines - an illegal drug used in the United States and commonly known as Crystal Meth.

The chemicals used to make Crystal Meth include the famous pseudo-ephedrine, phenyl-acetic acid and now today's bust was for another chemical in the same family, ethyl phenyl acetate.

This illicit cargo came into Belize on April fifth from China in a container declared to be 310 suitcases, bound for re-export to Mexico through an address in Orange Walk.

That immediately sent off flags and today customs took the container to the warehouse area to examine the inside. 100 of the boxes contained suitcases all right, but the other boxes were simply fitted over two hundred and ten - 15 gallon drums of ethyl phenyl acetate.

Our cameras got some images of the find from the street behind the customs clearing area today and we saw forensic Department personnel taking samples from each barrel to confirm its contents.

The smell of the chemical was also very strong in the area - even though each barrel was neatly fitted with a small pouch of coffee beans attached to the nozzle to mask the scent.

Still, it was overwhelming and Customs now has to securely store the valuable chemical - before it is destroyed. The suitcases will be auctioned.

This is the second time the customs department has intercepted this particular chemical - the last time it was 320 drums of it headed for the Corozal free zone.