WASHINGTON, June 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said 429 people were arrested in 16 states as part of the "Project Deliverance" narcotics operation.
Holder said Wednesday's arrests, which bring the total for the 22-month operation to 2,266, were accompanied by the seizure of 2,951 pounds of marijuana, 245 pounds of cocaine and 17 pounds of methamphetamine.
He said federal, state and local law enforcement agencies also seized $5.8 million cash, 141 weapons and 85 vehicles.
The attorney general said the operation, which was focused on the U.S. transportation infrastructure for drugs brought over by Mexican trafficking organizations, has overall resulted in the seizure of more than 74.1 tons of illegal drugs.
"This operation represents one of the most powerful attacks the U.S. government has launched against the criminal organizations smuggling narcotics, weapons and cash across our borders," Immigration and Customs Enforcement Assistant Secretary John Morton said. "The results of Project Deliverance clearly demonstrate the combined strength that federal agencies bring to bear in the battle against the cartels."
