Some of the 18 tons of illicit drugs seized
by federal authorities is displayed in San Diego.
Posted on 02/28/2007 9:01:45 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SAN DIEGO – Federal authorities Wednesday arrested dozens of individuals across the country suspected of bringing 18 tons of illegal drugs into the United States, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales said in an afternoon news conference here.
Members of the Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum drug trafficking ring were awakened in the early morning hours by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who served simultaneous arrest warrants as part of a 20-month-long investigation into the ring's operations, Gonzales and other federal officials said.
Gonzales said the Mexico-based organization acquired drugs from Colombia and Venezuela to Central America, then smuggled them into the United States from Mexico. Once in the U.S., the drugs were broken down into smaller shipments in such cities as Los Angeles and San Diego and disseminated to distribution cells in various states.
The ring supplied cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana monthly to its distributors by air, land and sea. Officials said it also laundered millions of dollars profited from the drug trafficking.
“The war on drugs is an ongoing challenge not just for the United States but for our neighbors and the rest of the hemisphere as well,” Gonzales said. He added that “the drug smugglers we are fighting have no respect for national borders.”
The investigation resulted in the federal indictment of 19 individuals in federal court in San Diego. Those indicted include Mexican nationals and others with residences in Calexico and El Centro, officials said.
So far, nine of the 19 indicted defendants have been arrested. Gonzales said the head of the cartel was not among those arrested.
According to the indictments unsealed Wednesday, Cazares-Gastellum, who competed with the Arellano Felix cartel, was the head of the drug trafficking organization.
Defendants Jose Oscar Del Castillo-Gallardo, Carlos Cuevas Jr. and Sergio Kaiser-Chavez are accused of heading the transportation operations of cocaine between Mexico and the United States.
Other defendants are charged with conspiring to import and distribute the drugs.
Through the course of the investigation, officials made more than 400 arrests across the country – including the 66 people arrested Wednesday morning in California, Arizona, New York and Illinois, Gonzales said.
Authorities said they also seized
More than $45 million in U.S. currency;
9,400 pounds of cocaine;
8 pounds of heroin;
226 pounds of pure methamphetamine, also known as “ice,”;
27,218 pounds marijuana ;
465 marijuana plants;
$5.3 million in non-cash assets, primarily real property;
61 vehicles;
83 firearms.
More than 100 agencies and foreign law enforcement officials participated in the investigation, called “Operation Imperial Emperor.”
And .. the Patriot Act strikes again!!
Since this was a multi agency cartel, I wonder if this is related:
http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070227sanjuan.htm
February 27, 2007
ICE Agents Seize 871 Pounds of Cocaine and 270 Pounds of Heroin with a Street Value of More Than $13 Million in Multi-Agency Operation in Puerto Rico
Arrests Result in Largest Heroin Seizure in Puerto Rico's History
When I first saw this on the TV news, it only stated that Mexican Nationals were arrested. That means illegal criminal invaders.
The head of the cartel wasn't arrested? After 20 months they couldn't keep track of him? Did he sneak out the back door, or is he going to be a witness and given a free ride.
Related? probably not, other than both busts were huge.. yet still a drop in the bucket..
Nor, do any of the 20-30 million illegals that are now in the U.S.
When will these agents be arrested for thier crime against the druggies?
*Authorities said they also seized
More than $45 million in U.S. currency;
9,400 pounds of cocaine;
8 pounds of heroin;
226 pounds of pure methamphetamine, also known as “ice,”;
27,218 pounds marijuana ;
465 marijuana plants;
$5.3 million in non-cash assets, primarily real property;
61 vehicles;
83 firearms.
Drop in the bucket and another waste of time and money!
The streets are still full of drugs and dealers!
Maybe someday the various Federal, State, and Local LEO's will figure out that the 'War-on-Drugs' is a dismal failure, and that Prohibition doesn't work! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ......... FRegards
Dayum, just look at all that stuff! I think this is the biggest bust in recent history?
I suppose they'll just destroy it...
*sigh*
I have no evidence, but I wouldn't be surprised to find that some of the evidence they collected to put together this major drug bust is tied into the sealed information running around the BP agent case.
My SPECULATION is that they've been working this for a long time, that some of the bit players got tangled up in that trial, and that this, and not some nefarious plot to "send a message that we love drug dealers" is why there were sealed parts of the case and why we don't know all the facts about things like the 2nd "smuggling incident".
I hope some day we can get more information about his major drug bust and I can find out if I'm right or not.
I seriously doubt it. Cazares-Gastellum is from Sinaloa, competing with the Tijuana cartel. Aldrete-Davila and his buddies are more likely to be affiliated with the Carrillo Fuentes gang in the Juarez cartel. Big geographic difference in location and trafficking channels.
Some ammo for Tony Snow in his RW talk radio media blitz in advance of sweeping immigration legislation.
27,218 pounds marijuana...
I suppose they'll just destroy it..."
If all these drugs are getting burned (destruction), How much is this adding to the ozone hole and global warming?
Maybe we could add further charges of global warming charges to the drug dealers?? :) :)
Well, you seize 18 tons and whadda you get?
Marijuana, coke, and plenty of meth.
Saint Peter don't you call me cause I won't go,
I dumped my badge for a whole mess of blow.
I thought these drug cartels were DANGEROUS outlaws? All these arrests, all these confiscations, and not a mention of a single shot fired?
Of course I'm glad none were. I'm also glad they can't use these guys as an excuse to take our guns now can they? But they will anyway.
Big deal. Like this means anything in terms of stopping the supply. Which is the whole point of these busts.....right?
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