U.S. arrests more than 2,200 individuals linked to Mexican cartels

June 10th, 2010 - 11:12 pm ICT by BNO News  

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said on Thursday that more than 2,200 individuals were arrested on narcotics-related charges in the United States after a 22-month U.S.-Mexico investigation called Project Deliverance.

On Wednesday, 429 individuals in 16 states were arrested, including a high priority target, as part of Project Deliverance, which targeted the transportation infrastructure of Mexican drug trafficking organizations in the United States, especially along the Southwest border, said the Department of Justice.

During Wednesday’s enforcement action, $5.8 million in U.S. currency, 2,951 pounds of marijuana, 112 kilograms of cocaine, 17 pounds of methamphetamine, 141 weapons and 85 vehicles were seized by law enforcement agents.

Overall, Project Deliverance has led to the arrest of 2,266 individuals and the seizure of approximately $154 million in U.S. currency, and approximately 1,262 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.5 tons of cocaine, 1,410 pounds of heroin, 69 tons of marijuana, 501 weapons and 527 vehicles.

The project led to the arrest of the alleged leader of the Castro-Rocha drug trafficking organization, Carlos Ramon Castro-Rocha.

“The progress we have announced today would not be possible without the assistance of our partners in the Mexican government, who are waging a courageous battle against drug cartels within their own borders,” said AG Holder.

Last year, Operation Xcelerator targeted the Sinaloa Cartel and resulted in more than 780 arrests. Project Coronado targeted the La Familia Michoacana Cartel and resulted in nearly 1,200 arrests.

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