North Texas drug crackdown linked to Mexican cartel
On Wednesday, federal agents arrested dozens of suspects with the "La Familia" Mexican drug cartel who were living among us right here in North Texas. Rebecca Lopez reports that the gang is known for bombings and violent murders of people who get in their way.
DALLAS — The war next door has come home.
On Wednesday, federal agents arrested dozens of suspects with the La Familia ("The Family") Mexican drug cartel who were living among us in North Texas. The crime organization is known for bombings and violent murders of people who get in their way, including police, government and military officials in Mexico.
SWAT teams and officers simultaneously raided homes and businesses across the Dallas-Fort Worth area and in California, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington state.
Law enforcement officials said it was the largest single strike at a Mexican drug cartel operating in the United States.
At one Dallas residence, the SWAT team broke windows and brought down fences during their raid.
"They had all kinds of shotguns and rifles and stuff with red beams," said one neighbor who did not wish to be identified. "It was really crazy."
News 8 found what appeared to be marijuana in the back yard of one of many homes reportedly targeted in the raids. Neighbors were stunned.
"I was pretty cool with those people," said the neighbor. "I actually spoke to them, and they were having gatherings. Everything seemed pretty cool."
But sources told News 8 that federal agents had sealed indictments and warrants to arrest people they call some of the most dangerous methamphetamine distrubutors in the nation.
Agents also raided an apartment complex in Mesquite.
"It scares the crap out of me," one resident said. "If I'm walking out of the house, I'm not going to know what is coming at me."
Sources say La Familia ships their drugs out of Michoacan, Mexico, which has been the scene of extremely violent crimes.
The cartel is known for bombings and murders of those who get in their way. In July, 12 federal Mexican agents were executed.
La Familia maintains an arsenal for their criminal activities. In Wednesday's raids, officers found drugs, guns and money.
Dozens of extra police officers, including Department of Public Safety troopers, were brought in from across the state for the sweep. Nationwide, agents had 300 warrants, with 90 defendants in the Dallas area.
During a raid in Allen, a SWAT team opened fire on one suspect. No one was hurt, but sources said the incident highlights how dangerous this group is.
Federal law enforcement officials, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, plan to announce the latest results of the operation against the cartels on Thursday. The suspects face a combination of federal and state charges.
Many of the charges are centered on the cartel's operations pumping large quantities of methamphetamine into the United States, and other drug distribution charges involve cocaine and marijuana, the officials said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
E-mail rlopez@wfaa.com
Legalization would take the teeth out of the cartels. Our government officials know this but refuse to change because it also weaken the need for a police state society.
Sam