http://www.dea.gov/pubs/states/newsrel/imperial_indictment.pdf
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http://www.dea.gov/pubs/states/newsrel/sd022807.html
"SANDBAGGED! DEA CASE NETS 400 ARRESTS, $45 MILLION
AND 18 TONS OF DRUGS
“Operation Imperial Emperor” uncovers sandbag bridge
over river at U.S./Mexico border"
PHOTO CAPTION: "Traffickers constructed this sandbag bridge to transport drugs via vehicles across the U.S.-Mexico border."
FEB 28 -- SAN DIEGO
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February 28, 2007
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/February/07_crm_120.html
Investigation of Major Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization
Results in Hundreds of Arrests Nationwide
$45 Million in Cash and 18 Tons of Illegal Drugs Seized in “Operation Imperial Emperor”
SAN DIEGO – A long-term investigation into a Mexican drug trafficking organization and its U.S.-based distribution cells has resulted in the arrest of more than 400 individuals nationwide, including the arrest of more than 66 individuals this morning in California, Arizona and Illinois, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales announced today at a press conference in San Diego.
The multi-agency law enforcement effort, called “Operation Imperial Emperor” targeted the Mexico-based Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum, a.k.a. “Victor Emilio Cazares-Salazar,” drug trafficking organization, which has been responsible for supplying multi-ton quantities of cocaine, as well as large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana, monthly to distribution cells throughout the United States. The organization has also laundered millions of dollars generated from this illegal activity.
The 20-month investigation, which was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has thus far resulted in the seizure of approximately $45.2 million in U.S. currency, 27,229 pounds of marijuana, 9,512 pounds of cocaine, 705 pounds of methamphetamine, 227 pounds of pure methamphetamine or “ice,” and 11 pounds of heroin. The investigation has also netted $6.1 million in property and assets, as well as roughly 100 weapons and 94 vehicles.
This morning, federal or state charges were unsealed against 139 defendants in the Southern District of California, the Central District of California, the Northern District of California, the District of Arizona, the Northern District of Illinois, and the Southern District of New York. More than 66 of these defendants were arrested today, bringing the total number of arrests during the course of this long-term investigation to more than 400.
“Today’s actions deal a significant blow to the Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum drug trafficking organization, whose members are accused of importing and distributing multi-ton quantities of cocaine and other illicit drugs to communities across the country on a monthly basis,” said Attorney General Gonzales. “These arrests demonstrate what can be achieved when domestic and international law enforcement partners team up against a common foe.”
According to court papers unsealed today in various federal jurisdictions, the Mexico-based Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum organization contracted the transportation of narcotics to the United States by land, air and sea. Metric ton shipments were transported out of Colombia and Venezuela, through Central America to Mexico, by tractor trailer, non-commercial vehicles, and aircraft. Once in Mexico, the narcotics were transported into the United States through various points of entry on the Southwest border.
After arriving in the United States, the drug shipments would be broken down further in cities like Los Angeles and San Diego for subsequent transportation to and distribution in locations around the country, including Nevada, Arizona, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Colorado, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington and Oregon.
"The Cazares-Gastellum drug empire that rose to such heights of power in only two years, fell today at the hands of DEA and our partners,” said DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy. “This sprawling drug domain, headquartered in Mexico, penetrated deep into all corners of this country. Today we ripped out this empire’s U.S. infrastructure from its commanders and transportation coordinators to its local distribution cells across the country, stripped it of $45 million in cash, and tossed it into the dustbin of history.”
“This operation is an example of strong cooperation among multiple international, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that dismantled a major drug trafficking enterprise operating between the U.S. and Mexico. Despite efforts to conceal their criminal activities, law enforcement prevailed and will continue to pursue criminal enterprises threatening the safety and security of our communities,” said Robert. S. Mueller III, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The federal prosecutions in connection with today’s arrests are being handled by U.S. Attorneys for the Southern District of California, Central District of California, District of Arizona and Northern District of Illinois. Additionally, local prosecutions will occur in the states of California, Arizona and Illinois.
This investigation involved the combined efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement nationwide through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). More than 100 federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement agencies contributed investigative and prosecutorial resources to Operation Imperial Emperor.
The investigative efforts were coordinated by the multi-agency Special Operations Division, comprised of agents and analysts from the DEA, FBI, ICE, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as attorneys from the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section.
###
07-120
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=guatemala
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Thanks to BurbankKarl for starting this thread.
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1793138/posts
An L.A. 'most-wanted' gang suspect caught in Guatemala
LA Times ^ | 2.28.07 | Richard Winton and Patrick McGreevy, Times Staff Writers
Posted on 02/28/2007 11:32:36 PM PST by BurbankKarl
An alleged 18th Street gang member named three weeks ago as one of the Los Angeles Police Department's 10 most wanted gang members has been captured in Guatemala and deported back to Texas, officials said today.
Angel Zevallos, an alleged 18th Street Westside member who goes by the name "Spanky," was captured last week and deported by Guatemalan authorities, said Chief Inspector John Clark of the U.S. Marshals Service in Los Angeles.
Zevallos will appear before a judge in Texas and then face extradition back to California to face an attempted murder charge, Clark said.
Police Chief William J. Bratton confirmed the arrest as the first success of a new program in which the department released a list of its 10 most wanted gang members.
The listing of gang fugitives and of the 11 worst gangs is part of a new campaign to reduce gang violence, which increased more than 15% citywide last year. Bratton has redeployed more than 200 officers to the crackdown on gangs.
Zevallos allegedly wounded a man in a bar fight in Los Angeles.
"He was captured in Guatemala," Bratton said. "This is part of what we discussed at a recent conference about improving relationships with those countries. He is an attempted murder suspect, so they don't have problems about giving him back to us because there is no death penalty involved."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Note: The following text is a quote:
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
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The crew of a fast boat carrying approximately 871 pounds of cocaine and 270 pounds of heroin with an estimated value of more than $13 million was brought to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) base here today where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents participating in the Caribbean Corridor Initiative arrested the six-member crew and seized the contraband.
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Northland Hitron, assisted by a USCG law enforcement detachment onboard the Dutch naval vessel Zuiderkruis, intercepted a fast boat 92 miles north of Venezuela when it was ordered to stop and its crew failed to heave. A required inspection of the boat revealed 14 bales of cocaine and four bales of heroin with an approximate weight of 871 pounds and 270 pounds respectively.
Upon the arrival of the Northland Hitron to the U.S. Coast Guard base in San Juan, federal officials arrested the Colombians Oscar Zambrano Mesa, 57, and Javier Antonio Michel, 44. The Venezuelans Pedro Zapata Beltran, 59, Michel Gabriel Ramirez, 22, and Jose Ramirez Fonseca, 24, along with a citizen of the Dominican Republic, Francisco Nueci Pena, 38, were also arrested. All are in U.S. Marshals custody awaiting the outcome of their criminal case.
"ICE and the other participating agencies in the Caribbean Corridor Initiative will continue using all our resources in the most efficient and intelligent way to stop the transshipment of drugs and other contraband in the Caribbean Basin," said Manuel Oyola Torres, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in San Juan, Puerto Rico. "We will continue dismantling drug trafficking organizations and will not rest until we bring these unscrupulous people to justice."
The public is reminded that a criminal complaint or indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
-- ICE --