US law enforcement targets Mexican drug trafficking in ‘Project Deliverance’; 2,000 arrests

US arrests 2,000 in Mexican drug trafficking probe

WASHINGTON — Law enforcement agencies have arrested more than 2,000 people in a 22-month investigation targeting Mexican drug trafficking organizations in the United States, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

The probe, called Project Deliverance, focused on the transportation of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana along the Southwest border.

At a news conference, Attorney General Eric Holder called Project Deliverance “just one battle” but nonetheless “a very significant blow” to the cartels.

Over 400 of the 2,000 arrests were made Wednesday.

The Justice Department says the probe has led to the seizure of $154 million in currency, over 1,200 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.5 tons of cocaine, over 1,400 pounds of heroin and 69 tons of marijuana.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement worked on the effort with state and local law enforcement agencies.

Among those arrested in recently was Carlos Ramon Castro-Rocha, believed by law enforcement agencies to be among the leaders of organizations importing narcotics into the U.S.