© Richard Vogel / APDEA agents move in on a residential house during an arrest of a suspected drug trafficker on Wednesday in Diamond Bar, California. Federal agents fanned out across the U.S. after a six-month investigation aimed at dismantling the upper echelon of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known as CJNG.
Agents also seized more than 20 kilograms of drugs and $20 million in cash from the cartel, the Justice Department said.
The Justice Department on Wednesday announced more than 750 arrests after a six-month investigation targeting Mexico's violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known as CJNG.
The Drug Enforcement Administration-led operation, called "Project Python," is the largest to date in U.S. efforts to take down the notorious drug dealing organization now considered one of the
most powerful cartels in Mexico and known for brutal kidnappings and murders in that country.
In addition to the nationwide arrests, agents seized more than 20 kilograms of drugs and $20 million in cash. Officials say the cartel has hubs in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Chicago and Atlanta and is a major presence on the Southwest border.
"CJNG has contributed to a catastrophic trail of human and physical destruction in Mexico," said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczowski. "It is the most well-armed cartel in Mexico. Its members willingly confront rival cartels and even the security forces of the Mexican government. CJNG is responsible for grisly acts of violence and loss of life."
Officials say CJNG is responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl-laced heroin into the United States.
Comment: The EU is running into problems coordinating its response among members. Rusula von der Leyen slammed Trump's travel ban, but individual EU nations are implementing their own travel restrictions. Austria banned travel from Italy. Slovakia banned all international travel. The Czech Republic shut the borders with Austria and Germany. Slovenia closed its border with Italy. Macron said any country closing borders with Italy is making a bad decision. (But says it may be appropriate in the future.) Merkel too thinks it is not appropriate. While Ireland has closed all schools, those in Britain will remain open "for the foreseeable future." France too is closing schools (the kids must be happy!), and banning gatherings of over 100 people - to "postpone the spike" as long as possible (or "flatten the curve" as it's being called).
Ukraine reported its first death, and Kazakhstan its first cases. Ukraine is closing its borders for the next two weeks. Iranian security forces have been ordered to clear the streets, making sure businesses and roads are shut down, and a nationwide lockdown has been ordered - to take effect in the next 24 hours. Russia has closed its border to anyone coming from Italy.
In the States, Louisiana postponed its Democratic primary for two months. New York "canceled Broadway" (and all other theaters), and banned gatherings of 500 or more people. And Wall Street had its worst day since 1987's Black Monday.
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