Feds bust Mexican drug cartel operation in Atlanta

ATLANTA - Federal authorities say they've dismantled a large Mexican drug trafficking organization operating in metro Atlanta.

U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates says numerous drug traffickers and money launderers were arrested across the metro area Wednesday. An indictment and the arrests were the results of a three-year investigation called ``Operation G-60.''

During the investigation, authorities seized 312 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated wholesale street value of over $7 million, about 1,525 kilograms of marijuana and over $1.5 million in drug proceeds.

The indictment handed down May 11 charged 32 people for various criminal offenses, including conspiring and possessing drugs with intent to distribute and money laundering.

Authorities have arrested 16 of the people charged in the indictment and one other man. The other 16 are considered fugitives.