The "La Familia" Mexican drug cartel are living among us right here in Dallas
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 12:24
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
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 12:51
#1
This Highlights the Danger of Prohibition!
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.
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 20:43
#2
Oh, don't act so surprised.
The drug war was never going to stay in Juarez. It was only a matter of time before it came here. One could argue that it already was going on, just more quietly. I know a guy in Memphis, TN who asked me if I got pulled over when I came to visit. I said no, and asked where the question came from. He said that the cops in the area like pulling over cars with Texas plates because there's a major drug corridor between Dallas, and Memphis. And this was a few years ago. Activity has probably increased. This recent incident here in DFW was, I'm sure, not the last by any means. If only there was some way to take the drug trade out of the hands of criminals and into the hands of law-abiding businessmen... hmmm.
Sun, 11/01/2009 - 16:56
#3
Cartel violence
I know I am being obvious, but who doesn't understand that if we take away the criminal element, crime will go down. Just observe other countries where there are legalized drugs. You don't see any of that on the news, because there is no news. No problems. Times have changed, and the ONLY way to stop the violence is through legalization and regulation. Until "Drug Cartels" can no longer make money off Americans, there will ALWAYS be drug dealers, cartels, crime. Stop the violence, be part of the change YOU want to see, I encourage anyone and everyone to "buy local". Lets not send our money to Mexico to fund the violence!
Sun, 11/01/2009 - 18:35
#4
Mexico would be a really cool
Mexico would be a really cool country if it wasn't for the cartel violence.
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 16:56
#5
LOL, I guess I just took for
LOL, I guess I just took for granted that 'everyone' around DFW knew someone in the Mexican Mafia. I know someone whose in-law is in the Mexican Mafia up here in Decatur. He sells a lot of ice. I have a nephew whose mother had a baby by a guy in the Mexican Mafia. They live in the mid-cities. She's currently doing some hard time for work she did for La Familia.
The Mexican Mafia is fully entrenched here. Fully.
Thu, 04/29/2010 - 14:18
#6
Is there any estimate on how
Is there any estimate on how many members are part of this cartel? I doubt they could pass unnoticed on the streets, they are not exactly subtle since they've been involved in more street violence. If I were a cop I would make sure I search for them even in the 12 step rehab center around the corner to make sure I covered the entire area.
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