Illegal Alien Heroin Pipeline Busted

As a result of a multistate investigation of an international drug trafficking ring, the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency announced the arrests of more than 130 individuals and the seizure of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The undercover investigation, dubbed Operation Black Gold Rush, identified an extensive network of illegal aliens who operated a black tar heroin pipeline between Mexico and over a dozen U.S. cities.

According to DEA spokesman Rusty Payne, the investigation began last November and involved many state and local law enforcement agencies.

From WashingtonTimes.com:

Mr. Payne said the organization is accused of using illegal aliens as couriers, part of a "call-and-deliver" system of drug distribution in which a buyer could have heroin delivered to the front door. The illicit proceeds are thought to have been laundered by the organization's financial managers using a combination of wire remitters and bulk currency transport, he said.

Agents have seized more than $380,000 in cash, Mr. Payne said.

Indictments in the case were returned in Indiana, where 13 persons were charged with conspiracy to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin. Additionally, 15 others were charged in Indiana, and 28 were arrested and indicted in Ohio, 47 in Tennessee, seven in Colorado and 11 in North Carolina.

Operation Black Gold Rush targeted suspected drug traffickers in Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville, Tenn.; Indianapolis; Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio; Denver; Los Angeles and Riverside, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Columbia, Greenville, Charleston and Florence, S.C.; and Phoenix.

This is fine and congratulations are in order, however, I would feel more comfortable with the news that the 130 illegals were actually sentenced to prison. Sometimes, I think the illegals must be radioactive since they usually are processed through the "catch-and-release" program. As such, the drug problems continue because the same people return to the same streets.

Nevertheless, putting 130 drug traffickers behind bars, even if it's only for a short time, produces nice headlines.