Hundreds arrested in Mexican drug probe

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A 44-month U.S. investigation of a violent Mexican drug cartel has led to almost 1,200 arrests, and the seizure of drugs and money, officials said Thursday.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced Project Coronado at a news conference in Washington. He said 303 of the total were picked up Wednesday and Thursday alone in a series of raids in 19 states.

Holder described the target of the operation, La Familia, as "the newest and most violent of the Mexican drug cartels."

The operation combined the resources of law enforcement on both sides of the border, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with state and local police.

"This organization, the newest of Mexican cartels, is directly responsible for a vast majority of the methamphetamine pouring into our country across our southwest border, and has had a hand in fueling the cycle of violence that is wracking Mexico today," said Michele Leonhart, acting director of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Total seizures included $32 million in U.S. currency, more than 2,700 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 4,500 pounds of cocaine, 16,000 pounds of marijuana, 29 pounds of heroin and almost 400 weapons, Holder said.