Drug Trafficking Press Conference
August 20, 2009
Forty-three defendants in the United States and Mexico, including 10 alleged Mexican drug cartel leaders, have been charged in 12 the Department of Justice, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced. The alleged leaders and other high-ranking members of several of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels were charged with operating continuing criminal enterprises or participating in international drug trafficking conspiracies.
Speech: Attorney General Eric Holder at the Press Conference to Announce Mexican Cartel Indictments
Website: DEA.gov
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US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald speaks.US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald speaks at a press conference to announce forty-three defendants in the United States and Mexico, including 10 alleged Mexican drug cartel leaders, were charged in 12 indictments in Brooklyn and Chicago as part of a coordinated strike against Mexican drug trafficking organizations.Photo by Lonnie Tague for The Department of Justice -
Attorney General Holder looks on.Attorney General Eric Holder looks on as US Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald speaks with the press. "Breaking up these dangerous cartels and stemming the flow of drugs, weapons and cash across the Southwest border is a top priority for this Justice Department," said Attorney General Eric Holder.Photo by Lonnie Tague for The Department of Justice -
US Attorney Benton Campbell extends his thanks.Benton J. Campbell, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York extended his grateful appreciation to ICE and the DEA Task Force in New York, the agencies responsible for leading the Eastern District’s investigation, and to the assistance provided by ICE and DEA in Miami, Houston, Mexico and Colombia.Photo by Lonnie Tague for The Department of Justice -
Acting DEA Administrator Leonhart delivers her remarks.DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart emphasizes the continued commitment to disrupting and destroying these threats to the United States, "Our relentless investigations penetrated deep into these pervasive criminal organizations, connecting street operations in U.S. communities like Chicago and New York to the top drug kingpins calling the shots in Mexico. Make no mistake; along with our courageous partners in Mexico, we will break these cartels and pursue their leaders."Photo by Lonnie Tague for The Department of Justice -
John Morton speaks on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security.Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton spoke on behalf of his agency's involvement with the investigation.Photo by Lonnie Tague for The Department of Justice -
The Attorney General takes questions.Attorney General Eric Holder takes questions at a press conference announcing a coordinated strike against Mexican drug trafficking organizations.Photo by Lonnie Tague for The Department of Justice -
John Morton discusses inter-agency tactics used against the drug cartels."Law enforcement agencies in the Americas are working closer than ever before and setting up a united, borderless offense against drug cartels," said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton. "This is a significant step in breaking down the infrastructure of these criminal organizations."Photo by Lonnie Tague for The Department of Justice
