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US raids hit Mexican drug cartel US raids hit Mexican drug cartel
(10 minutes later)
More than 300 people have been arrested in a series of drug raids targeting a Mexican drug cartel operating in the US, American officials have said.More than 300 people have been arrested in a series of drug raids targeting a Mexican drug cartel operating in the US, American officials have said.
The two-day operation, which involved thousands of police officers in 14 US states, is the latest aimed at the cartel known as La Familia.The two-day operation, which involved thousands of police officers in 14 US states, is the latest aimed at the cartel known as La Familia.
It was part of Project Coronado, which has led to almost 1,200 arrests over four years, officials said.It was part of Project Coronado, which has led to almost 1,200 arrests over four years, officials said.
The cartel is based in the western Mexican state of Michoacan.The cartel is based in the western Mexican state of Michoacan.
It has been accused of carrying out bloody attacks on Mexican security forces.It has been accused of carrying out bloody attacks on Mexican security forces.
US Attorney General Eric Holder said he believed the Mexican government was doing a good job in combating cartels. LA FAMILIA Previously believed to answer to Gulf Cartel, listed as separate group in March 2009 government reportCombines code of violence with idea of protecting people in Michoacan from outsidersAlso involved in counterfeiting, extortion, kidnapping, armed robbery, prostitution, protection rackets class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8319924.stm">'Family values' of Mexico drug gang
LA FAMILIA Previously believed to answer to Gulf Cartel, listed as separate group in March 2009 government reportCombines code of violence with idea of protecting people in Michoacan from outsidersAlso involved in counterfeiting, extortion, kidnapping, armed robbery, prostitution, protection rackets Announcing the arrest of 303 suspected cartel members on Thursday, US Attorney General Eric Holder described the gang as demonstrating "an incredible level of sophistication and ruthlessness".
He said the raids had disrupted the cartel's operations in the US.
"This operation has dealt a significant blow to La Familia's suppy chain of illegal drugs, weapons and cash flowing between Mexico and the United States," he said.
He said he believed the Mexican government was doing a good job in combating cartels.
"They face a problem of almost unimaginable dimension," he said."They face a problem of almost unimaginable dimension," he said.