31 October 2011
Last updated at 20:28 ET
The drugs were distributed to criminal gangs across the US
US authorities say they have broken up a massive drug-smuggling network run by a Mexican cartel in Arizona.
A total of 76 suspects have been arrested and huge quantities of drugs and arms seized in a series of raids.
The ring used backpackers and vehicles to smuggle marijuana, cocaine and heroin across Arizona’s western desert.
The network was linked to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel and generated an estimated $2 billion in profit over the last five years, officials said.
“Today we have dealt a significant blow to a Mexican criminal enterprise that has been responsible for poisoning our communities,” said Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne.
“I find it completely unacceptable that Arizona neighbourhoods are treated as a trading floor for narcotics”, he added.
The bust – known as “Operation Pipeline Express” – followed a 17-month investigation by multiple US law enforcement agencies.
‘Monopoly’
A mix of US and
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