U.S. “Operation Xcellerator” Cracks Down on Sinaloa Cartel

Mexico City | February 25, 2009

755 Members and Associates of Cartel Arrested to Date; 23 Tons of Narcotics and over $59 Million in Drug Money Seized

Today the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrests of 52 individuals, bringing the total to 755 members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel arrested across the U.S. during a multi-agency law enforcement investigation known as “Operation Xcellerator.”

“This 21-month operation could not possibly have been done alone,” said Chargé d’Affaires Leslie Bassett. “Operation Xcellerator illustrates the United States and Mexico working together to strengthen our borders and attack violent criminal drug networks at every level. Cracking down on the cartel’s U.S. distribution networks will have a direct impact on criminals’ ability to sell drugs in the United States and funnel profits back to Mexico.

“The United States will continue to go after drug traffickers wherever they operate, through our domestic law enforcement agencies, and by sharing information with our Mexican counterparts. Together, Mexico and the United States will succeed in breaking down the pernicious criminal networks that threaten both our nations.”

To read the full text of the Department of Justice’s press release on Operation Xcellerator, go to:
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2009/February/09-ag-162.html