DOZENS ARRESTED ON METH AND OTHER DRUG CHARGES

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A 10-month investigation into methamphetamine
trafficking in south central Oklahoma and North Texas led to the arrest of
53 people Tuesday on a variety of drug charges by federal, state and local
authorities.

The investigation, dubbed Operation 700 Ranch Round-Up, began in May when
authorities learned that meth was being supplied in Oklahoma by traffickers
in North Texas, according to Gary Olenkiewicz, head of Drug Enforcement
Administration's Dallas office.

Officers in both states conducted surveillance, made undercover drug
purchases, executed search and arrest warrants and conducted other
operations to gather evidence needed for indictment and prosecution of the
defendants, officials said.

"The federal targets represent the leaders of an organization planted here
in southern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas by a violent street gang in
Chicago known as Satan's Disciples," said U.S Attorney Sheldon Sperling of
the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee.