GRAND JURY INDICTS 9 LINKED TO TIJUANA DRUG ORGANIZATION

A U.S. grand jury indicted a high-ranking member of the Tijuana-based
Arellano Felix drug ring after a wiretap probe that led to seizure of nearly
four tons of cocaine and $15 million in cash, federal prosecutors revealed
Monday.

Jorge Castro, 32, and eight other people from Mexico were indicted Friday in
Los Angeles on charges of conspiring to import drugs and distribute them in
Southern California, U.S. Attorney Nora Manella said.

Brothers Ramon and Benjamin Arellano Felix control the major Mexican routes
for smuggling drugs into the United States, according to U.S. prosecutors.

Prosecutors said the cocaine was intended for the San Bernardino-Riverside area.

Four of those indicted were already in federal custody, including Castro.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett