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STATEMENT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

WASHINGTON D.C.-The United States Marshall Service, along with the U.S. Attorney's offices in Tampa and Miami and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), today announced the successful completion of Operation SORTI, a fugitive apprehension initiative based in the Florida/Caribbean region that resulted in the arrests of 1, 015 fugitives since April 3. Attorney General Reno issued the following statement:

• "More than 1,000 fugitives were removed from the strets during this remarkable operation.

• Under the leadership of the Marshals Service, federal, state, local and county law enforcement officers showed extraordinary skill and professionalism.

• During the course of the operation, not a life was lost and many were saved."

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