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News
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2001
For additional information, contact:
Michael L. Chapman, Chief, Public Affairs
(202) 307-7977
International
Mexican Heroin Investigation, Operation "Landslide" Commences,
Results In West Coast Arrests And Seizures As Well As Arrests In Mexico
Mexican Black Tar Heroin
"Ice" Methamphetamine
Cocaine
DEA Administrator
Asa Hutchinson praised the cooperation of Mexican authorities
stating, This case demonstrates Mexicos continued
commitment in attacking the drug problem. Their cooperation
provides clear evidence that Mexican authorities are not only
working with the U.S. government to reduce the drug supply,
but to incarcerate those responsible.
Administrator
Hutchinson added, The success of this case speaks volumes.
It disrupted an organization that saturated more than 30 U.S.
cities in 11 states with cheap, low purity heroin, which resulted
in growing heroin abuse from coast to coast.
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On November
15, 2001, Operation Landslide, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement
Task Force (OCDETF) investigation culminated, resulting in 38 U.S. arrests
and 5 arrests by Mexican authorities. So far, drug seizures from this
operation have totaled over 770 pounds of heroin, 34 pounds of methamphetamine,
and 3 kilograms of cocaine. The operation, an international effort involving
Mexican authorities, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States
Customs Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue
Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Attorneys Office
from several jurisdictions, and at least 20 state and local counterparts,
targeted a Mexico-based heroin distribution organization. Authorities
were tipped off to the Mexican group almost a year ago following three
Southwest Border seizures totaling 253 pounds of Mexican heroin. Further
investigation revealed the existence of U.S.-based cells operating in
San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles.
During this investigation,
authorities learned not only that significant amounts of black tar heroin
were entering the U.S. at regular intervals, but that the heroin was often
accompanied by smaller amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine. Once inside
the United States, the drugs were transported to stash locations
in California, before being distributed throughout the U.S. Operation
Landslide identified distribution cells in 31 cities and 11 states, including
14 cities in California alone, as well as Seattle and Yakima, Washington;
Portland, Oregon; St. Louis, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado;
Phoenix, San Luis, and Nogales, Arizona; Dallas, Del Rio, El Paso, and
Laredo, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; Miami, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia.
Once the heroin and
other drugs were distributed, U.S. based cell heads located in the various
cities collected the proceeds and returned the money to organizational
members in Tijuana, Mexico. The investigation documented millions of dollars
in returns.
In FY 2001 the U.S.
government seized in excess of 700 pounds heroin along the Southwest border
in comparison to approximately 386 pounds in FY 2000. This represents
more than a 90 percent increase. Of these total seizures, almost 50 percent
can be attributed to the Landslide organization.
Federal Agencies
participating in Operation Landslide:
Drug Enforcement Administration
United States Customs Service
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Internal Revenue Service
United States Attorneys Office
Immigration and Naturalization Service
State / Local
Agencies participating in Operation Landslide:
Pomona Police Department
Santa Ana Police Department
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department
St. Louis City Police Department
California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE)
San Francisco Police Department
Oakland Police Department
Hayward Police Department
San Jose Police Department
Fairfield Police Department
Alameda County Narcotics Task Force
San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force
Solano County Narcotics Enforcement Team
San Jose Police Department
Garden Grove Police Department
Huntington Beach Police Department
Orange County DAs Office- Investigation Section
Santa Ana Police Department
Irvine Police Department
Orange Police Department
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