WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal officials today announced the arrests
of more than 300 people in raids across the country aimed at the
newest and most violent cartel in Mexico.
     
The strike against La Familia is the largest single strike at
Mexican drug operations in the United States.
     
La Familia has earned a reputation for dominating the
methamphetamine trade and displaying graphic violence, including
beheadings. U.S. officials says the cartel, based in the state of
Michoacan, in southwestern Mexico, has a vast network pumping drugs
throughout the United States, specializing in methamphetamine.
     
The arrests took place in 38 cities, from Boston to Seattle and
Tampa, Fla., to St. Paul, Minn., in 19 states.
     
In Dallas alone, 77 people were charged by a number of different
federal and local law enforcement agencies.
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On the Net:
     
Justice Department: http://www.justice.gov/
     
Drug Enforcement Administration: http://www.dea.gov
     
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives:
http://www.atf.gov/
     
     
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
     
AP-NY-10-22-09 1348EDT