16 indicted in California in drug-smuggling probe

The Associated Press
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009 - 10:20 am

IMPERIAL, Calif. -- California Attorney General Jerry Brown says 16 people have been indicted in a drug-smuggling probe that netted hundreds of pounds of cocaine and marijuana and nearly $2 million in cash.

Brown said Wednesday in Imperial County that investigators found Mexico's notorious Sinaloa cartel smuggled the drugs into Southern California.

He says the drugs ended up in cities including Atlanta, Chicago and New York, as well as Canada.

The seizure of 420 pounds of cocaine, 136 pounds of marijuana and $1.7 million are a result of Operation Silver Fox, an ongoing investigation that began in January with authorities in Imperial County, which is along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Some of the 16 indicted are at large. Twelve who were named are from Southern California and Mexicali, Mexico.

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/2140936.html