WASHINGTON.- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said today that thanks to an undercover investigation that began in May 2010, the authorities managed to seize $ 186 million in cash and other assets from Mexican drug traffickers.

The DEA through a statement said that "Below the Beltway Project", was a surveillance operation of Mexican drug cartels of Sinaloa and Juarez, and also of violent street gangs to fight drug traffickers and their distribution networks in the U.S.

As the result of the investigation and with the help of local and state authorities, the U.S. seized $148 million in cash and another $ 38 million in other assets of drug traffickers.

The investigation was conducted in 79 cities in and out the U.S. from May 2010 to December 6th, which also resulted in the arrest of 3,780 individuals and the seizure of 6,100 kilos of cocaine, 4,668 kilos of methamphetamine, 735 kilos of heroin and 158,584 kilos of marijuana.

Those arrested face charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, violation of prohibitions related to the use of firearms and other crimes.

"These international organized crime schemes operate without borders and our ongoing investigations in the U.S. and abroad continue against its members, wherever they may operate," said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart in the statement.

Editorial@sandiegored.com

Translation : Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com