News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2007
For Information Contact:
GS Raymond D’Alessio
Public Information Officer
713 693-3272


DEA-Led Operation Puma Cages Southwest Border Drug Ring
International Team of Agencies Seize Over 20 Tons of Marijuana
and $7 Million in Assets from Mexican-based Organization

AUG 16 -- (HOUSTON)- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas today announced the culmination of Operation Puma, a multi-jurisdictional Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation that targeted an international drug trafficking and money laundering organization responsible for smuggling thousands of kilograms of cocaine and multi-ton quantities of marijuana across the U.S.- Mexico border.


These two photos are from a concealed compartment located in a 40 ft. flatbed trailer. The concealed compartment contained multiple kilograms of cocaine seized as part of Operation Puma.

Operation Puma, a 2 ½ year long DEA-led investigation which targeted both the drug distribution cells and the money laundering network of a sophisticated criminal enterprise operating along the Texas border with the United Mexican States, today resulted in the arrest of 32 individuals, the execution of 19 search warrants, and the seizure of millions of dollars in drug-related assets in McAllen, Laredo, San Antonio and Dallas, Texas. DEA teamed up with international, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to dismantle an organization which had distribution cells that ranged from the southwest border to cities throughout the United States.

“Eradication of major drug trafficking organizations require the excellent cooperative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement you are witnessing in today’s sweeping announcements,â€