Story perspectives

Powers: Van Crystals Salt, Not Meth; Rangers Join ICE Probe

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ruby Powers says the white crystal-like material in the van was granulated salt for an electrolyte drink, not methamphetamine.
A July 14 FBI affidavit alleged the substance could be methamphetamine, prompting a search warrant, while Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare doubts the claim and expects test results soon.
Greg Abbott said the Texas Rangers will join federal officials in investigating the July 7 ICE shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.

History

Historical Context

The 1970 Controlled Substances Act, signed by President Richard Nixon, created drug schedules and led to the 1973 formation of the Drug Enforcement Administration. A 30 % jump in methamphetamine seizures reported in 1971 cemented inter-agency testing protocols. Those statutes still guide the FBI’s challenge to Ruby Powers’ “crystal-is-salt” claim and ICE’s investigation of the July 7 shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.

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Story summary

Ruby Powers says the white crystal-like material in the van was granulated salt for an electrolyte drink, not methamphetamine.
A July 14 FBI affidavit alleged the substance could be methamphetamine, prompting a search warrant, while Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare doubts the claim and expects test results soon.
Greg Abbott said the Texas Rangers will join federal officials in investigating the July 7 ICE shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.

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