Thursday during a press conference in Washington, D.C., Attorney General Eric Holder announced that 429 arrests made across the country Wednesday, including at least one at a home near 112th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, were part of "Project Deliverance."
The Justice Department says the nearly two-year project targeted the transportation infrastructure of Mexican drug and weapons trafficking organizations in the United States, especially along the southwest border.
In Colorado six people were arrested and officers seized 5 kilograms of cocaine, approximately $21,000 in cash and two firearms.
Those arrested included the following:
Jorge Martin Villegas, 47 years old of Denver: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine (not more than 20 years in federal prison).
Lorenzo E Villegas, 42 years old of Commerce City: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine (not more than 20 years in federal prison).
Lorenzo Steve Villegas, 29 years old of Denver: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine (not more than 20 years in federal prison).
Johnny Torres, 30 years old of Lakewood: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine (not more than 20 years in federal prison).
Ronnie Garcia, 30 years old of Denver: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine (not more than 20 years in federal prison).
Jose Javier Aranda, 44 years old of Thornton: will be prosecuted by state authorities
The arrests were coordinated by the Metro Gang Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the US Attorney's Office, the Colorado National Guard, the Colorado State Patrol and a number of local police departments.
Attorney General Eric Holder says the operation dealt drug cartels a significant blow, but says it's "just one battle in what is an ongoing war."
Holder said a total of 2,200 people were arrested during the operation and 74 tons of drugs and $154 million in cash were seized. Among those arrested was a man authorities believe was among the leaders of organizations importing drugs to the U.S.
(KUSA-TV © 2010 Multimedia Holdings Corporation with The Associated Press)