United States Drug Enforcement Administration

LAS VEGAS, NV -- - Law enforcement officials announced today the seizure of 208 pounds of methamphetamine, 4.3 pounds of heroin, approximately $280,000.00 in U.S. Currency, nine vehicles, five handguns and one shotgun as part of an investigation targeting an international drug trafficking organization operating in the Las Vegas Area.

On July 12, 2011, investigators from the Southern Nevada HIDTA Task Force developed sufficient probable cause for the issuance of five Nevada State search warrants for residences throughout the Las Vegas Valley. In addition to the seizures listed above, 11 individuals were arrested, ten of whom did not have legal alien status. The search warrants served yesterday were conducted in Henderson, North-East Las Vegas and South-East Las Vegas.

Paul Rozario, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA office in Las Vegas stated, “This organization is believed to be responsible for bringing in huge quantities of meth in the Las Vegas area every month - enough meth to supply thousands of people with this highly addictive and dangerous drug. This joint investigation is an example of the significant results that are achieved through the cooperation of local, state and federal law enforcement within the HIDTA task force.”

This seizure of 208 pounds of methamphetamine represents the largest methamphetamine seizure on record in Nevada. The seizure of heroin and methamphetamine has an estimated street value of more than $5.7 million.

All eleven individuals face charges under Nevada State law and will be prosecuted by the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.

HIDTA stands for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a program designed to enhance and coordinate efforts among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The HIDTA Southern Nevada Drug Task Force is comprised of officers and agents from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Drug Enforcement (DEA), the Henderson Police Department, and the North Las Vegas Police Department. The Boulder City Police Department and the Nevada Highway Patrol assisted with yesterday’s enforcement operations.