175 presuntos miembros del Cártel del Golfo han sido detenidos en una operación conjunta de las autoridades de EE UU e Italia, denominada Projet Reckoning (proyecto cálculo).
Los arrestos realizados el martes y miércoles fueron la culminación de 15 meses de investigaciones, dijo el general Michael B. Mukasey, fiscal general de EE UU. (En la foto)
Es sin duda un "duro golpe" a uno de los mayores cárteles de la droga mexicanos, que ha permitido además decomisar 60 millones de dólares y unas 40 toneladas de droga.
Entre los detenidos figuran diez presuntos miembros de la mafia calabresa la 'Ndrangheta, que se encontraban en EE UU y Calabria, en el sur de Italia.
Con esta operación se confirma el papel de la mafia calabresa en el suministro de droga colombiana a Europa a través de México, según las autoridades italianas.
Las autoridades estadounidenses han confirmado que el grupo narcotraficante mexicano (Cártel del Golfo) mantenía operaciones en Atlanta, Georgia, Missisipi, Memphis, Tennessee, Indianápolis y Austin.
El Golfo, también está acusado de ser el responsable del envío a EE UU de cargamentos cuantiosos de cocaína, anfetaminas, heroína y marihuana desde Colombia, Guatemala, Panamá y México y que también iban dirigidos a Europa a través de Italia.
"Hemos completado exitosamente un masivo y duro golpe al poderoso y extremadamente violento Cártel del Golfo", declaró a medios locales la directora del Departamento Estadounidense Antidrogas (DEA), Michele M. Leonhart.
Los arrestos anunciados este miércoles 17 de septiembre son parte de una investigación de 15 meses que totaliza 507 arrestos y la captura de 60,100.000 dólares, 16.711 kilogramos de cocaína, 1.039 libras de metanfetaminas, 19 libras de heroína, 51,258 libras de marihuana, 176 vehículos y 167 armas.
Los arrestos anunciados
Las autoridades dijeron que el miércoles se develaron los cargos en Washington DC contra tres supuestos líderes del cártel: Ezequiel Cárdenas Guillén, Heriberto Lazcano-Lazcano y Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sánchez. Se cree que los tres están en México y son presas prioritarias para las autoridades estadounidenses, que trabajan conjuntamente con las autoridades mexicanas para apresarlos. Osiel Cárdenas fue extraditado y se encuentra preso en EE UU.
De acuerdo con documentos oficiales, al menos 34 de los miembros de la banda arrestados llevaban a cabo operaciones de tráfico y distribución de drogas y lavado de dinero en Atlanta (EE UU), entre los arrestados en Atlanta figura Edgar Rodríguez Alejandro, de 20 años, presunto líder local de la organización que se encargaba de coordinar la distribución de drogas y el envío de dinero a México.
Los arrestos realizados el martes y miércoles fueron la culminación de 15 meses de investigaciones, dijo el general Michael B. Mukasey, fiscal general de EE UU. (En la foto)
Es sin duda un "duro golpe" a uno de los mayores cárteles de la droga mexicanos, que ha permitido además decomisar 60 millones de dólares y unas 40 toneladas de droga.
Entre los detenidos figuran diez presuntos miembros de la mafia calabresa la 'Ndrangheta, que se encontraban en EE UU y Calabria, en el sur de Italia.
Con esta operación se confirma el papel de la mafia calabresa en el suministro de droga colombiana a Europa a través de México, según las autoridades italianas.
Las autoridades estadounidenses han confirmado que el grupo narcotraficante mexicano (Cártel del Golfo) mantenía operaciones en Atlanta, Georgia, Missisipi, Memphis, Tennessee, Indianápolis y Austin.
El Golfo, también está acusado de ser el responsable del envío a EE UU de cargamentos cuantiosos de cocaína, anfetaminas, heroína y marihuana desde Colombia, Guatemala, Panamá y México y que también iban dirigidos a Europa a través de Italia.
"Hemos completado exitosamente un masivo y duro golpe al poderoso y extremadamente violento Cártel del Golfo", declaró a medios locales la directora del Departamento Estadounidense Antidrogas (DEA), Michele M. Leonhart.
Los arrestos anunciados este miércoles 17 de septiembre son parte de una investigación de 15 meses que totaliza 507 arrestos y la captura de 60,100.000 dólares, 16.711 kilogramos de cocaína, 1.039 libras de metanfetaminas, 19 libras de heroína, 51,258 libras de marihuana, 176 vehículos y 167 armas.
Los arrestos anunciados
Las autoridades dijeron que el miércoles se develaron los cargos en Washington DC contra tres supuestos líderes del cártel: Ezequiel Cárdenas Guillén, Heriberto Lazcano-Lazcano y Jorge Eduardo Costilla Sánchez. Se cree que los tres están en México y son presas prioritarias para las autoridades estadounidenses, que trabajan conjuntamente con las autoridades mexicanas para apresarlos. Osiel Cárdenas fue extraditado y se encuentra preso en EE UU.
De acuerdo con documentos oficiales, al menos 34 de los miembros de la banda arrestados llevaban a cabo operaciones de tráfico y distribución de drogas y lavado de dinero en Atlanta (EE UU), entre los arrestados en Atlanta figura Edgar Rodríguez Alejandro, de 20 años, presunto líder local de la organización que se encargaba de coordinar la distribución de drogas y el envío de dinero a México.
La operación también ha revelado que los narcotraficantes han cambiado muchas de sus operaciones a México, asociándose al llamado Cartel del Golfo.
Las investigaciones también han desvelado que la 'Ndrangheta tiene "raíces profundas" en EE UU y Canadá.
El fiscal que lidera la investigación, Nicola Gratteri, está en EE UU con otros funcionarios antidrogas de Italia, para coordinar la operación allí, mientras que un juez estadounidense y miembros de la DEA y el FBI han viajado a Italia para ayudar a los Carabinieri.
El comunicado también destaca el aporte de los agentes locales y de la DEA en México, Colombia, Guatemala, Panamá e Italia.
Ndrangheta, el poder emergente en Calabria.
Se trata de una organización emergente, igualmente de origen rural, que se ha convertido en poderosísima, entre otras razones por ser más hermética, cruel y disciplinada que su hermana siciliana.
El fiscal que lidera la investigación, Nicola Gratteri, está en EE UU con otros funcionarios antidrogas de Italia, para coordinar la operación allí, mientras que un juez estadounidense y miembros de la DEA y el FBI han viajado a Italia para ayudar a los Carabinieri.
El comunicado también destaca el aporte de los agentes locales y de la DEA en México, Colombia, Guatemala, Panamá e Italia.
Ndrangheta, el poder emergente en Calabria.
Se trata de una organización emergente, igualmente de origen rural, que se ha convertido en poderosísima, entre otras razones por ser más hermética, cruel y disciplinada que su hermana siciliana.
A diferencia de La Cosa Nostra, en la Ndrangheta la estructura es horizontal, las familias (clanes) sí están ligadas por lazos sanguíneos. Su origen es calabrés, pero ha logrado extenderse, pues se sabe de su presencia en Lombardía, Piamonte e incluso en la misma Sicilia.
Evidentemente también ha llegado a España, Alemania, Suiza, Francia, Rusia, EE UU, Canadá, Australia, y ahora sabemos que a México.
Entre sus actividades se encuentra la corrupción política, la venta de armas incluso a otras organizaciones y el secuestro. Se supone que sólo en Calabria tiene unos 6,000 afiliados.
Evidentemente también ha llegado a España, Alemania, Suiza, Francia, Rusia, EE UU, Canadá, Australia, y ahora sabemos que a México.
Entre sus actividades se encuentra la corrupción política, la venta de armas incluso a otras organizaciones y el secuestro. Se supone que sólo en Calabria tiene unos 6,000 afiliados.
***
Discurso textual de Michael B. Mukasey
Remarks as Delivered by Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey Announcing the Results of Project Reckoning
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 10:30 A.M. EDT
Thank you David, and good morning. And thank you to acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Michele Leonhart, and Italian Public Prosecutor, Dr. Nicola Gratteri, for joining me here today.
Earlier today and yesterday, indictments were unsealed here in Atlanta and elsewhere as part of a massive international operation against a Mexican-based drug trafficking organization known as the Gulf Cartel. Among those indicted are three leaders of the cartel, each of whom had been on the Justice Department’s Consolidated Priority Organization Target list of the world’s most significant drug traffickers. As of now, operations yesterday and today have resulted in the arrest of 175 people, including 43 in the Atlanta area.
These indictments and arrests are the culmination of a 15-month investigation led by the DEA called Project Reckoning. Between today’s operations and earlier ones, Project Reckoning has resulted in more than 500 arrests, and seizure of drugs and drug money in staggering amounts: more than 16 tons of cocaine, more than 1000 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 25 tons of marijuana, and over $60 million in U.S. currency.
Today’s indictments charge members and associates of the Gulf Cartel with transporting and distributing large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana from Central and South America into the United States and Europe, primarily across the Southwest border. The Indictments also charge members of the Gulf Cartel with money laundering operations, and the use of violence in support of its other criminal activities.
We believe these arrests are a substantial blow to the Gulf Cartel, and law enforcement can take just pride in the success of this operation. The coordination and cooperation displayed – among districts, agencies, and even among nations – was tremendous.
In addition to the DEA, more than 200 law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation, including the Justice Department's Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and Office of International Affairs; U.S. Attorneys' Offices and law enforcement in more than a dozen states and jurisdictions; the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force; the Internal Revenue Service; the FBI; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and the U.S. Secret Service. Project Reckoning is a textbook example of how law enforcement can and should work together, and of the results that can come from such cooperation.
In particular, I want to thank the governments of Italy and Mexico for their invaluable support of this operation and in the broader fight against narcotics trafficking.
Under the leadership of President Calderon and Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora, the Mexican government has taken the fight against cartels to a historic level. Cooperation between the United States and Mexico in combating drug trafficking organizations, including the Gulf Cartel, is now at unprecedented levels. Since December 2006, for example, Mexico has extradited 145 fugitives to the United States. This includes, most relevant to today’s operation, the extradition in January 2007 of alleged Gulf Cartel leader Osiel Cardenas Guillen.
Today’s operation also involved significant cooperation from Italy, for which I thank Dr. Gratteri. Among those charged in today’s indictments are members of an organized crime group based in Calabria, Italy, who allegedly sold cocaine supplied by the Gulf Cartel via New York. The Italian government’s firm commitment to combat drug trafficking is evident in the success of this operation.
The international aspect of this case reminds us that to be effective, we must fight the war on drugs collectively, and across borders. Next month, I will travel to Mexico for the Organization of American States meeting of public security ministers, to discuss, among other things, the threat posed by drug cartels such as the Gulf Cartel and ways we can continue to work together to stop them. Much of the success we have enjoyed would not have been possible without our having worked together.
By spreading dangerous drugs and resorting to brutal violence, international drug cartels pose an extraordinary threat both here and abroad. Too many of communities, here and abroad, have been damaged by the drugs and violence associated with these cartels. Too many innocent citizens, and too many law enforcement officers, have died on both sides of the Southwest border, and in cities and towns across this country. Project Reckoning is well named, and we want it to serve as a promise to law-abiding citizens, law enforcement officers, and to the drug cartels, that we will not let up in our efforts to combat the threat.
I would now like to turn the microphone over to DEA acting Administrator Michele Leonhart to give you more details on the operations.
Thank you David, and good morning. And thank you to acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Michele Leonhart, and Italian Public Prosecutor, Dr. Nicola Gratteri, for joining me here today.
Earlier today and yesterday, indictments were unsealed here in Atlanta and elsewhere as part of a massive international operation against a Mexican-based drug trafficking organization known as the Gulf Cartel. Among those indicted are three leaders of the cartel, each of whom had been on the Justice Department’s Consolidated Priority Organization Target list of the world’s most significant drug traffickers. As of now, operations yesterday and today have resulted in the arrest of 175 people, including 43 in the Atlanta area.
These indictments and arrests are the culmination of a 15-month investigation led by the DEA called Project Reckoning. Between today’s operations and earlier ones, Project Reckoning has resulted in more than 500 arrests, and seizure of drugs and drug money in staggering amounts: more than 16 tons of cocaine, more than 1000 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 25 tons of marijuana, and over $60 million in U.S. currency.
Today’s indictments charge members and associates of the Gulf Cartel with transporting and distributing large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana from Central and South America into the United States and Europe, primarily across the Southwest border. The Indictments also charge members of the Gulf Cartel with money laundering operations, and the use of violence in support of its other criminal activities.
We believe these arrests are a substantial blow to the Gulf Cartel, and law enforcement can take just pride in the success of this operation. The coordination and cooperation displayed – among districts, agencies, and even among nations – was tremendous.
In addition to the DEA, more than 200 law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation, including the Justice Department's Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and Office of International Affairs; U.S. Attorneys' Offices and law enforcement in more than a dozen states and jurisdictions; the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force; the Internal Revenue Service; the FBI; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and the U.S. Secret Service. Project Reckoning is a textbook example of how law enforcement can and should work together, and of the results that can come from such cooperation.
In particular, I want to thank the governments of Italy and Mexico for their invaluable support of this operation and in the broader fight against narcotics trafficking.
Under the leadership of President Calderon and Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora, the Mexican government has taken the fight against cartels to a historic level. Cooperation between the United States and Mexico in combating drug trafficking organizations, including the Gulf Cartel, is now at unprecedented levels. Since December 2006, for example, Mexico has extradited 145 fugitives to the United States. This includes, most relevant to today’s operation, the extradition in January 2007 of alleged Gulf Cartel leader Osiel Cardenas Guillen.
Today’s operation also involved significant cooperation from Italy, for which I thank Dr. Gratteri. Among those charged in today’s indictments are members of an organized crime group based in Calabria, Italy, who allegedly sold cocaine supplied by the Gulf Cartel via New York. The Italian government’s firm commitment to combat drug trafficking is evident in the success of this operation.
The international aspect of this case reminds us that to be effective, we must fight the war on drugs collectively, and across borders. Next month, I will travel to Mexico for the Organization of American States meeting of public security ministers, to discuss, among other things, the threat posed by drug cartels such as the Gulf Cartel and ways we can continue to work together to stop them. Much of the success we have enjoyed would not have been possible without our having worked together.
By spreading dangerous drugs and resorting to brutal violence, international drug cartels pose an extraordinary threat both here and abroad. Too many of communities, here and abroad, have been damaged by the drugs and violence associated with these cartels. Too many innocent citizens, and too many law enforcement officers, have died on both sides of the Southwest border, and in cities and towns across this country. Project Reckoning is well named, and we want it to serve as a promise to law-abiding citizens, law enforcement officers, and to the drug cartels, that we will not let up in our efforts to combat the threat.
I would now like to turn the microphone over to DEA acting Administrator Michele Leonhart to give you more details on the operations.
***
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
AG(202) 514-2007TDD (202) 514-1888
175 Alleged Gulf Cartel Members and Associates Arrested in Massive International Law Enforcement Operation
“Project Reckoning” Leads to the Seizure of $60 Million and More Than 40 Tons of Illegal Drugs From One of Mexico’s Largest Drug Trafficking Cartels
WASHINGTON –Today Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey announced that 175 individuals were arrested today and on Sept. 16, 2008, on charges related to an international drug trafficking cartel in a coordinated enforcement action by hundreds of international, federal, state and local law enforcement officials throughout the United States and Italy. Including the operations announced today, a long-term investigation of one of Mexico’s largest drug trafficking cartels and its U.S. and international distribution networks has resulted in the arrest of more than 500 individuals in the United States, Mexico and Italy to date.
"Project Reckoning," a multi-agency law enforcement effort led by the DEA, targeted the Mexican drug trafficking cartel known as the Gulf Cartel. Among those indicted are the three alleged leaders of the Gulf Cartel: Ezequiel Cardenas-Guillen, Heriberto Lazcano-Lazcano and Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez. These individuals, each designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOTs) by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), have been indicted in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on charges that they conspired to import drugs into the United States from Mexico. A CPOT designation is reserved for significant narcotics traffickers who are believed to be the leaders of drug trafficking organizations responsible for the importation of large quantities of narcotics into the United States.
The Gulf Cartel is responsible for the transportation of multi-ton quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana from Colombia, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico to the United States, as well as the distribution of those narcotics within the United States. The Gulf Cartel is also believed to be responsible for laundering multiple millions of dollars in criminal proceeds. Individuals indicted in the cases are charged with a variety of crimes, including: drug trafficking charges related to cocaine and marijuana; solicitation and conspiracy to kidnap; attempted murder; conspiracy to use a firearm in a violent crime; conspiracy to kill and kidnap in a foreign country; interstate and foreign travel in aid of racketeering; money laundering; and other related crimes.
To date, Project Reckoning has resulted in the arrest of 507 individuals and the seizure of approximately $60.1 million in U.S. currency, 16,711 kilograms of cocaine, 1,039 pounds of methamphetamine, 19 pounds of heroin, 51,258 pounds of marijuana, 176 vehicles and 167 weapons. Project Reckoning, a 15-month investigation, combined into one centrally coordinated effort several multi-district enforcement operations that all involved individuals with close ties to the Gulf Cartel. Operation Dos Equis, Operation Vertigo, Operation Stinger and Operation The Family as well as numerous local operations combined to form Project Reckoning.
"By spreading dangerous drugs and resorting to brutal violence, international drug cartels pose an extraordinary threat both here and abroad," said Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey. "The scope of the threat demands a deliberate and sustained response and the success we have had, such as the takedowns announced today, is due to the combined efforts of federal, state, local and international law enforcement. Although I am pleased with the efforts so far, we cannot and will not rest on these successes. The threat posed by international drug cartels is too great. It will take all of us working together to prevail."
"We successfully completed a hard-hitting, coordinated and massive assault on the powerful and extremely violent Gulf Cartel," said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. "We have arrested U.S. cell heads, stripped the cartel of $60 million in cash, imprisoned their brutal assassins and significantly disrupted their U.S. infrastructure. DEA will continue our relentless attack against this cartel, aiming to dismantle them and stop the violence they inflict on Southwest Border communities."
"Metro Atlanta unfortunately continues to be a major drug distribution center for the Southeast and beyond. The DEA and our many other law enforcement partners continue to aggressively investigate all aspects of the drug trade," said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia David E. Nahmias. "This major case is another example of their effective, coordinated efforts. The two cartel cells indicted in Atlanta acted like many shipping businesses, coordinating the transportation of truckloads of hidden drugs and millions of dollars in currency across the country and to and from Mexico. Through our sophisticated investigation and prosecutions, we have disrupted these organizations, seized large amounts of their poisons and proceeds, and now will work hard to lock up their members for many years to come."
"This operation exemplifies the European vision of the international fight against drug trafficking," said Dr. Nicola Gratteri, Italian Public Prosecutor for the Anti-mafia District Attorney's Office of Reggio Calabria, Italy.
These cases are being handled by attorneys in the Northern District of Georgia; Southern District of Texas; Northern District of Texas; Western District of Texas; District of New Jersey; Eastern District of Louisiana; District of New Mexico; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of North Carolina; Southern District of New York; and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and Office of International Affairs. In addition, local prosecutions in this case will occur in the states of California, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina and Missouri.
The investigative efforts in Project Reckoning were coordinated by the Justice Department’s Special Operations Division, the DEA, FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Marshals Service and attorneys from the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section. More than 200 federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement agencies contributed investigative and prosecutorial resources to Project Reckoning through the OCDETF. Significant assistance was also provided by a coalition of international investigative agencies spearheaded by DEA offices located in Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Italy with assistance from foreign counterparts in each of those countries.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable dou bt. ### 08-824
175 Alleged Gulf Cartel Members and Associates Arrested in Massive International Law Enforcement Operation
“Project Reckoning” Leads to the Seizure of $60 Million and More Than 40 Tons of Illegal Drugs From One of Mexico’s Largest Drug Trafficking Cartels
WASHINGTON –Today Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey announced that 175 individuals were arrested today and on Sept. 16, 2008, on charges related to an international drug trafficking cartel in a coordinated enforcement action by hundreds of international, federal, state and local law enforcement officials throughout the United States and Italy. Including the operations announced today, a long-term investigation of one of Mexico’s largest drug trafficking cartels and its U.S. and international distribution networks has resulted in the arrest of more than 500 individuals in the United States, Mexico and Italy to date.
"Project Reckoning," a multi-agency law enforcement effort led by the DEA, targeted the Mexican drug trafficking cartel known as the Gulf Cartel. Among those indicted are the three alleged leaders of the Gulf Cartel: Ezequiel Cardenas-Guillen, Heriberto Lazcano-Lazcano and Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez. These individuals, each designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOTs) by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), have been indicted in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on charges that they conspired to import drugs into the United States from Mexico. A CPOT designation is reserved for significant narcotics traffickers who are believed to be the leaders of drug trafficking organizations responsible for the importation of large quantities of narcotics into the United States.
The Gulf Cartel is responsible for the transportation of multi-ton quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana from Colombia, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico to the United States, as well as the distribution of those narcotics within the United States. The Gulf Cartel is also believed to be responsible for laundering multiple millions of dollars in criminal proceeds. Individuals indicted in the cases are charged with a variety of crimes, including: drug trafficking charges related to cocaine and marijuana; solicitation and conspiracy to kidnap; attempted murder; conspiracy to use a firearm in a violent crime; conspiracy to kill and kidnap in a foreign country; interstate and foreign travel in aid of racketeering; money laundering; and other related crimes.
To date, Project Reckoning has resulted in the arrest of 507 individuals and the seizure of approximately $60.1 million in U.S. currency, 16,711 kilograms of cocaine, 1,039 pounds of methamphetamine, 19 pounds of heroin, 51,258 pounds of marijuana, 176 vehicles and 167 weapons. Project Reckoning, a 15-month investigation, combined into one centrally coordinated effort several multi-district enforcement operations that all involved individuals with close ties to the Gulf Cartel. Operation Dos Equis, Operation Vertigo, Operation Stinger and Operation The Family as well as numerous local operations combined to form Project Reckoning.
"By spreading dangerous drugs and resorting to brutal violence, international drug cartels pose an extraordinary threat both here and abroad," said Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey. "The scope of the threat demands a deliberate and sustained response and the success we have had, such as the takedowns announced today, is due to the combined efforts of federal, state, local and international law enforcement. Although I am pleased with the efforts so far, we cannot and will not rest on these successes. The threat posed by international drug cartels is too great. It will take all of us working together to prevail."
"We successfully completed a hard-hitting, coordinated and massive assault on the powerful and extremely violent Gulf Cartel," said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. "We have arrested U.S. cell heads, stripped the cartel of $60 million in cash, imprisoned their brutal assassins and significantly disrupted their U.S. infrastructure. DEA will continue our relentless attack against this cartel, aiming to dismantle them and stop the violence they inflict on Southwest Border communities."
"Metro Atlanta unfortunately continues to be a major drug distribution center for the Southeast and beyond. The DEA and our many other law enforcement partners continue to aggressively investigate all aspects of the drug trade," said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia David E. Nahmias. "This major case is another example of their effective, coordinated efforts. The two cartel cells indicted in Atlanta acted like many shipping businesses, coordinating the transportation of truckloads of hidden drugs and millions of dollars in currency across the country and to and from Mexico. Through our sophisticated investigation and prosecutions, we have disrupted these organizations, seized large amounts of their poisons and proceeds, and now will work hard to lock up their members for many years to come."
"This operation exemplifies the European vision of the international fight against drug trafficking," said Dr. Nicola Gratteri, Italian Public Prosecutor for the Anti-mafia District Attorney's Office of Reggio Calabria, Italy.
These cases are being handled by attorneys in the Northern District of Georgia; Southern District of Texas; Northern District of Texas; Western District of Texas; District of New Jersey; Eastern District of Louisiana; District of New Mexico; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of North Carolina; Southern District of New York; and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and Office of International Affairs. In addition, local prosecutions in this case will occur in the states of California, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina and Missouri.
The investigative efforts in Project Reckoning were coordinated by the Justice Department’s Special Operations Division, the DEA, FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Marshals Service and attorneys from the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section. More than 200 federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement agencies contributed investigative and prosecutorial resources to Project Reckoning through the OCDETF. Significant assistance was also provided by a coalition of international investigative agencies spearheaded by DEA offices located in Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Italy with assistance from foreign counterparts in each of those countries.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable dou bt. ### 08-824
Fuente: El País, El Nuevo Herald, agencias; Departamento de Justicia de EE UU
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