Big Time Bust of Mexican Drug Cartel by US

According to American officials, over 300 people have been arrested in a series of drug raids, in hopes to hone in on dismantling a notorious Mexican drug cartel called La Familia.

The two-day operation, involved thousands of police officers in 19 US states. The recent drug bust was part of Project Coronado, (which has led to almost 1,200 arrests over four years, according to officials).

Based in the western Mexican state of Michoacan, La Familia has been accused of carrying out bloody attacks on Mexican security forces.


After the arrest of 303 suspected cartel members on Thursday, Attorney General Eric Holder described the gang as demonstrating "an incredible level of sophistication and ruthlessness".

According to BBC Americas, FBI Director Robert Mueller states "La Familia had transformed in recent years "from a drug cartel to a sophisticated criminal organization".

However, officials also state that this recent bust has made a significant blow to the cartel, and sees it as a great advance in stopping the cartel in its tracks.