August 17, 1999
Web posted at: 9:33 p.m. EDT (0133 GMT)

In this story: Nearly 100 indictments Trains, tractor trailers and automobiles One arm of an octopus RELATED STORIES, SITES

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Federal authorities say they are sweeping up the last few indicted members of a major drug trafficking network that shipped tons of mostly Colombian cocaine and marijuana throughout the United States.

Nearly 100 suspects have been indicted in "Operation Southwest Express" and 77 were arrested in raids in 14 cities during the past two days, FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency officials said at a news conference Tuesday.

Over the course of the year-long investigation, 2,700 kilos (5,592 pounds) of cocaine and two tons of marijuana -- drugs worth an estimated $72 million -- entered the United States through Mexico and were confiscated along with $1.1 million in cash, officials said.

"This organization that we disrupted today embraced the American capitalist ideal and would sell any drug that would turn a profit and did not discriminate in its dealings with any other drug organization," said Tom Pickard of the FBI's Criminal Division.

Pickard said that in Tuesday's raids alone, authorities seized 14 kilos (30.8 pounds) of cocaine, two Land Rover vehicles, two Ferrari luxury cars and seven weapons, including an AK-47.

The rest of the seizures have occurred over the past year, he said.

Nearly 100 indictments

Authorities identified the kingpin in the United States as Omar Rocha Sota, a Mexican citizen who was arrested in San Diego Tuesday.

Also arrested were three brothers who allegedly headed the El Paso, Texas, importation and distribution center: Daniel, Angel and Raoul Sotelo. Daniel and Angel Sotelo are Mexican-born U.S. citizens and Raoul is a resident alien.

Officials said some of the drug seizures took place in Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts.

Arrests were made in at least 14 cities, including Houston, Boston, Philadelphia and Albany, New York.

All 98 who have been indicted were expected to be arrested by the end of Tuesday, officials said. The suspects face narcotics, money laundering and racketeering charges.

Trains, tractor trailers and automobiles

Much of the seized cocaine originated in Colombia and the crackdown comes at a time when U.S. officials say that South American country's war on drugs is in a state of emergency.

Law enforcement officials told CNN that with the U.S. demand for cocaine remaining high, new smugglers are continuously setting up distribution networks -- making millions in quick profits.

"These types of organizations are capable of supplying drugs throughout the United States," said Joe Keefe from the DEA. "They're not only in the major cities, they're in the heartland because they have people in place or they come and go."

The drugs were shipped by trains, tractor trailers and automobiles around the country, according to authorities.

Drugs were moved via Mexico into El Paso and Houston, Texas, and then sent on to New York, Boston and Chicago, which was a hub for distribution to Cleveland, Nashville and Atlanta.

The vehicles that transported the drugs throughout the country would then ferry the cash back to the ring's operation centers in San Diego and Texas.

One arm of an octopus

Authorities said techniques used in the investigation included wire taps and "pen registers" -- electronic devices that capture phone numbers dialed from a particular phone.

While law enforcement officials said the operation shut down one of the top drug trafficking networks, one source admitted privately that the bust was like slicing off only one arm of an octopus.

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