Here's a news release about "Project Deliverance," from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement:
WASHINGTON - Assistant Secretary John Morton of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Attorney General Eric Holder, acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Assistant Director Kevin L. Perkins of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division announced the arrest of more than 2,200 individuals on narcotics-related charges in the United States and the seizure of more than 74.1 tons of illegal drugs as part of a 22-month, multi-agency law enforcement investigation known as "Project Deliverance."
On June 9, 429 individuals in 16 states were arrested as part of Project Deliverance, which targeted the transportation infrastructure of Mexican drug trafficking organizations in the United States, especially along the Southwest border, through coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement. More than 3,000 agents and officers operated across the United States to make the arrests. Law enforcement agents also seized $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.
"This operation represents one of the most powerful attacks the U.S. government has launched against the criminal organizations smuggling narcotics, weapons and cash across our borders," said ICE Assistant Secretary Morton. "The results of Project Deliverance clearly demonstrate the combined strength that federal agencies bring to bear in the battle against the cartels."
In addition, as part of the bilateral efforts between Mexico and the United States to disrupt drug cartel operations, Mexican law enforcement provided significant supportive actions for Project Deliverance. Among those arrested during the course of the operation was Carlos Ramon Castro-Rocha, an alleged heroin trafficker who has been designated a Consolidated Priority Organization Target (CPOT). A CPOT designation is reserved for significant narcotics traffickers who are believed to be the leaders of drug trafficking organizations responsible for the importation of large quantities of narcotics into the United States. Castro-Rocha was arrested by Mexican authorities on May 30, 2010, based on an arrest warrant from the United States. Castro-Rocha was indicted in U.S. District Court in the Western District of North Carolina and in U.S. District Court in the District of Arizona on drug trafficking charges.
Individuals indicted in these cases are charged with a variety of crimes, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana; distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana; conspiracy to import narcotics into the United States; and other violations of federal law. Numerous defendants face forfeiture allegations as well.
Overall, in 22 months, 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.
Project Deliverance arrests were made in Milwaukee.
From TMJ4:
Drug agents from across the United States cast their net wide and picked up ten members of an alleged marijuana ring here in Milwaukee.
...Besides the ten people arrested locally, Milwaukee law enforcement officials also seized five vehicles, nearly 15 pounds of marijuana, six firearms --- including two assault rifles and a submachine gun --- and about $5,000 in cash.
The criminal complaint alleges all of the accused in this case distributed over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana from November 2008 until June 9, 2010.
The drugs allegedly came from a source in Mexico. Attorney General Eric Holder praised law enforcement in that country.
...If convicted, the ten people arrested face a minimum of 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to four million dollars.
Good news for a change.
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