By David Kravets, The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (AP) - Federal authorities said they have arrested 15 people and seized $2 million worth of illegal drugs brought here from Mexico.
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena described the bust as “one of the most significant cases we have had here.” During a news conference, Pena declared the police operation, dubbed “El Trebol” as a successful “blow to traffickers” who were able to get their drugs on credit and smuggled from cartels in Mexico.
Authorities said hundreds of officials were involved in the two-year investigation, using wiretaps and surveillance, and most of the arrests occurred in Northern California.
The drug-trafficking ring’s alleged mastermind, Jose Isais-Carbrera, a Mexican national, was among those arrested, authorities said.
Agents seized roughly 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of heroin, 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of cocaine, 7 pounds ( 3.15 kilograms) of crack cocaine, $30,000 in cash and nine firearms.
“These arrests show that we are serious about disrupting dangerous international drug trafficking organizations,” U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan of San Francisco said. “These seizures mark some of the largest amounts of heroin ever seized in this area.”
One law enforcement official said the cache represented about 15 percent of the drugs on Bay Area streets at any given time.
Much of the drugs were stored in a so-called “stash house” in Southern California, before they were filtered north. The authorities said many drug deals were made over the telephone, and some of the defendants are accused of money laundering.