In addition to the arrests, 10 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 14 pounds of methamphetamine in powdered form, 30 gallons of methamphetamine solution, 17 firearms, including assault weapons, and more than $100,000 were seized.
[Note: This article was originally posted on December 13th, 2011. The IFNM website was attacked by hackers and many articles are now gone from the archives. As a public service, IFNM is now reposting said articles.]
With confiscated weapons and drugs behind him, Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II speaks on the arrests of members and associates of the Mexican drug cartel La Familia Michoacana.
Details about a major Central Valley law enforcement operation targeting La Familia Michoacana were unveiled Monday during a news conference at the Merced County district attorney’s office.
Meanwhile, Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II said potential state cuts could affect the ability of local agents to conduct similar operations in the future.
La Familia is a violent Mexican drug cartel that has been linked to a rash of kidnappings, beheadings and drug crimes in Mexico in recent years. Last month, an investigation conducted by state and local task force agents into the cartel’s Central Valley activities was concluded after series of raids in Merced, Madera, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.
As a result, 24 cartel members and associates were arrested. The goal was “to keep one of Mexico’s most violent drug cartels from gaining a foothold in the Central Valley,” Morse said.
Other law enforcement officials present at the conference included Madera County District Attorney Michael R. Keitz and Merced Police Chief Norm Andrade, as well as several special agents.
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