#332: 08-11-97 - Two Major Drug Operations Come to Successful End


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CRM
MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 1997                            (202) 514-2008
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

         TWO MAJOR DRUG OPERATIONS COME TO SUCCESSFUL END

     WASHINGTON, D.C. --  The Department of Justice today
announced the successful conclusion of two major operations
targeting Mexican cocaine cells with the arrest of some 40
defendants in 10 cities.

     The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)
investigations, Operations Reciprocity and Limelight, targeted
cells belonging to Amado Carrillo-Fuentes narcotics trafficking
organization.  Until his death last month, Carrillo-Fuentes was
considered the most powerful drug trafficker in Mexico. 
 
     Both operations reveal an eastward expansion across the U.S.
to New York City by Mexican drug trafficking organizations.

     "These arrests mark an important step forward in our
crackdown on drug traffickers.  The real reason for success is
the federal, state and local teamwork.  I am very proud of the
cooperative efforts of the investigators, detectives and
prosecutors involved in these cases," said Attorney General Janet
Reno.

     "Operations Reciprocity and Limelight dramatically
demonstrate that Mexican drug traffickers are displacing at least
some of the Colombian cocaine organizations which have
traditionally dominated the New York City cocaine traffick," said
DEA Administrator Thomas A. Constantine.  "These organized
syndicates whose leadership is based in Mexico have dumped tons
of cocaine on New York City and they are moving closer to
eclipsing the Colombians and controlling the U.S. drug market. 
We are extremely concerned over the escalating use of violence by
these groups on both sides of the border as these criminals
attempt to expand their market share."

     Commenting on the operations, FBI Director Louis Freeh said,
"The results of these cases show once again what can be achieved
by the close cooperation of law enforcement agencies united
against international drug trafficking operations."

     Customs Commissioner George Weiss agreed.  "Operation
Reciprocity strikes a blow at a major drug smuggling operation. 
This case is proof positive that by working together, Federal law
enforcement agencies can wage a highly successful campaign
against drug trafficking organizations."

     This afternoon, U.S. Attorneys and state prosecutors in
several cities across the country, the DEA, the FBI, U.S. Border
Patrol and the U.S. Customs Service announced the final arrests
in Operation Reciprocity.  Indictments charging 56 people with
violations of federal drug laws were unsealed today in New York
City, New York; El Paso, Texas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and
Tuscon, Arizona.  This investigation, which began in October
1996, started with the identification of members of the Amado
Carrillo-Fuentes organization engaged in drug trafficking
activities in New York City and Los Angeles, California.  The
investigation grew into a multi-agency federal, state and local
operation.  The investigation revealed that traffickers were
transporting cocaine to the New York City area hidden in false
compartments in the roofs of tractor trailer trucks and in
hollowed out stacks of plywood.

     To date, Operation Reciprocity has resulted in 35 arrests as
well as the seizure of seven tons of cocaine, 2,800 pounds of
marijuana and more than $11 million in U.S. currency.

     Taking a page from their Columbian counterparts, this
Mexican criminal group hired American truck drivers from areas
such as Battle Creek, Michigan, to transport the cocaine from the
Southwest Border to New York City in tractor trailers.  The truck
drivers exchanged the cocaine for cash which they then
transported back to selected areas along the Southwest Border
where it was delivered to the Mexican traffickers.

     The second investigation, Operation Limelight, a DEA
operation conducted with the assistance of several state, local
and Treasury agencies including Customs and IRS, began in
Imperial County, California, in August 1996, and resulted in the
seizure of 4,012 kilograms of cocaine, 10,846 pounds of
marijuana, and $7,395,579, and the arrest of 48 persons.  The
investigation focused on the Alberto Beltran transportation and
distribution cell, part of the Amado Carrillo-Fuentes
organization. 
 
     State and federal investigators and prosecutors believe that
the Beltran cell is responsible for the monthly smuggling of at
least a one and a half tons of cocaine which was trucked across
the country by Mexican nationals, typically concealed in crates
of vegetables and fruits.  The organization maintained
transportation and distribution groups in New York City, McAllen,
Texas; San Diego, California; Los Angeles, California;
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; and Rockford,
Illinois.  When a shipment of cocaine was due to arrive at a
designated distribution point, members of the organization would
fly from various U.S. cities to oversee deliveries.

     The head of the Beltran organization in the U.S., Gerardo
Gonzalez, was arrested in New York City on March 7, 1997, as part
of Operation Limelight subsequent to the seizure of 1,630
kilograms of cocaine which was concealed in a 30 ton shipment of
carrots from McAllen, Texas.  At that time, the New York Drug
Enforcement Task Force also seized $1.3 million in U.S. currency
and arrested nine organization members.

     In the second phase of this investigation, DEA agents and
DEA Task Forces in New York, San Diego, Chicago and Rockford,
Illinois, arrested eight more members of this trafficking
organization, including Gonzalez' wife, Rebecca Ramos on August
1, 1997.
97-332                         ###