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DEA touts results of drug operation

DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy announced the results of Operation Money Clip, a multi-jurisdictional, Special Operations Division coordinated, multi-agency Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation that targeted and dismantled an international money laundering and drug trafficking organization and resulted in the arrest of 83 defendants.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Drug Suppression Task Force agents assisted in the effort aimed at ridding drugs from communities all across the country.

“This case began with a single traffic stop in rural Kimble County, Tex., and the seizure of U.S. currency. Based on evidence seized at the traffic stop, DEA was able to expand the case to 43 investigations spanning the nation,” Tandy said. “Operation Money Clip has resulted in 26 separate seizures for a total of $4.4 million, 2,526 kilograms of cocaine, 74 pounds of crystallized methamphetamine known as ‘Ice,’ 2.8 pounds of methamphetamine, 39,265 pounds of marijuana, and 1 kilogram of heroin. Today's enforcement actions resulted in the seizure of an additional $300,000, 1,000 pounds of marijuana, two weapons and 45 vehicles. Five residences are pending seizure in Los Angeles.”

Operation Money Clip was initiated in response to DEA Administrator Tandy’s directive, issued shortly after she took the helm, to focus investigations on the abilities, methods and routes used to smuggle large amounts of money from the U.S. to the sources of drug supply in Mexico and other foreign countries.

“Operation Money Clip clearly illustrates how money fuels the drug trade and attacking these illicit profits is the key to dismantling drug organizations,” Tandy said. “By getting to the root of this sophisticated criminal organization, we have taken away their profits, their drugs, and arrested their key leadership. This operation ensures that these drug traffickers will never do business on American streets again and proves that, in order to defeat these large criminal organizations, law enforcement must be coordinated and united.”

Begun in October 2003, Operation Money Clip targeted a Mexican-based poly-drug trafficking organization with ties to the Mexican drug trafficking “Federation of Traffickers.” DEA San Antonio and the Kimble County, Texas Sheriff’s Department began the investigation based on a bulk seizure of over $2.2 million dollars.

Through a complex and multi-jurisdictional follow-up investigation, DEA agents in 25 cities expanded the investigation and found that the organization allegedly laundered as much as $200 million dollars from various rural and urban American cities to Mexican targets over an approximately two year period. The ensuing investigation established that this organization allegedly distributed approximately 500 kilograms of cocaine, 200 pounds of methamphetamine, 20 kilograms of heroin and 10,000 pounds of marijuana per month over a two year period.

Through innovative investigative techniques, a routine traffic stop evolved into a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation. The money was laundered through remitter services, businesses, and foreign bank accounts. Metropolitan areas of Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles, and rural sections in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Iowa, South Carolina, and North Carolina were involved.

This one year operation culminates with enforcement actions against the leaders and organizational members in several cities including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis.

“Operation Money Clip is a testament to the spirit of cooperation and teamwork that DEA enjoys with federal and state prosecutors and with other federal and state and local law enforcement agencies,” Tandy added. “Operation Money Clip investigators are continuing their investigation to fully identify the organization’s breadth and domestic links.”

Special thanks and recognition included the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Drug Suppression Task Force.

“This groups has always done well since the early 80s and they have become a leading force in the state of Georgia suppressing drugs,” Fayette County Sheriff Randall Johnson said.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Drug Suppression Task Force has established a great working relationship with the Atlanta DEA, officials said.