U.S Busted Mexican Drug Cartel

U.S agents have smashed a Mexican drug trafficking network. More than 400 people have been arrested and over 18 tons of narcotics have been seized according to authorities on Wednesday.

U.S Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said that the 20-month operation that had been code-named "Operation Imperial Emperor," had dismantled the Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum network. The network was responsible for smuggling cocaine, methamphetamines and marijuana from Mexico and distributing it across the United States.

"These arrests demonstrate what can be achieved when domestic and international law enforcement partners' team up against a common foe," Gonzales said.

At a news conference in San Diego, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales had said, "Today's operation is a serious blow to one of the largest and most significant trafficking organizations."

According to the International Narcotics Control Board, its annual report shows that Mexican cartels now dominate drug trafficking in the United States and are taking over areas once controlled by Colombians and even grow cannabis in U.S territory.

According to the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration, the latest operation netted more than 13.5 tons of marijuana, 4.7 tons of cocaine and hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and heroin. Along with the drugs the operation netted $45.2 million in drug proceeds.

$6.1 million in property and assets with roughly 100 weapons and 94 vehicles had also been seized during the investigation.

DEA administrator Karen Tandy had this to say, "We ripped out this empire's U.S. infrastructure from its commanders and transportation coordinators...and tossed it into the dustbin of history."

Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum network brought Colombian and Venezuelm drugs to Mexico through Central America, bringing them in with motor vehicles and planes, According to court papers.

Once the drugs were in Mexico, the narcotics were smuggled into the United States through various points of entry along the 2,000 mile border.

Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum was indicated in the sting but remains in Mexico and was not arrested, officials had said. The authorities also said that the cartel employed U.S citizens and Mexican nationals, who distributed the drugs in 23 states. They will face either federal or state charges for their involvement.

A report Wednesday by the U.N watchdog indicated U.S anti-drug authorities face a daunting task.

According to U.N watchdog, mass production of methamphetamine in labs in western and northwestern Mexico was keeping the supply of the drug steady in the United States. The success of the U.S authorities in closing down meth labs had been overshadowed by increasing production of the drug in Mexico and Canada.

Sources:

Reuters:
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2846509120070301?pageNumber=1

Time:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1595017,00.html?xid=rss-topstories