Vista man among 23 countywide DEA arrests in cartel operation

By TERI FIGUEROA tfigueroa@nctimes.com
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011 11:52 am

SAN DIEGO ---- A Vista man was among 23 people arrested as part of a suspected drug-trafficking ring in a joint operation announced Monday by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office and the San Diego field office of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The agencies said the takedown ---- which locally saw the seizure of 200 pounds of methamphetamine ---- was part of a national effort targeting La Familia, based in the Mexican state of Michoacan.

The Vista man, Francisco Saucedo, 46, is suspected essentially as a middle manager in the local operation, involved in the transportation and redistribution of the drugs, said local DEA spokeswoman Amy Roderick. Authorities are still seeking to arrest an additional two North County residents with suspected ties to the drug operation, she said.

The busts announced Monday also included the seizure of nearly 200 pounds of marijuana, 1 pound of cocaine and 3 pounds of heroin, DEA and county prosecutors said.

Dubbed Project Delirium, the national operation was a 15-month long investigation resulting in more than 1,980 arrests across the country.

Call staff writer Teri Figueroa at 760-740-5442.

http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcou ... 95065.html