Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today issued the following statement on Project Deliverance, a multi-agency law enforcement investigation that resulted in the arrests of more than 2,200 individuals on narcotics charges and the seizure of more than 74.1 tons of illegal drugs.

The 22-month investigation targeted the transportation structure of Mexican drug trafficking organizations, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Yesterday, more than 3,000 local, state and federal U.S. law enforcement officials took part and arrested 429 individuals in 16 states, including California. They seized $5.8 million in U.S. currency, 2,951 pounds of marijuana, 112 kilograms of cocaine, 17 pounds of methamphetamine, 141 weapons and 85 vehicles.

Overall, Project Deliverance has led to the arrests of 2, 226 individuals and the seizure of approximately $154 million in U.S. currency, 1,410 pounds of heroin, 2.5 tons of cocaine, 69 tons of marijuana, 1,262 pounds of methamphetamine, 501 weapons, and 527 vehicles.

“I commend the more than 3,000 local, state and federal law enforcement personnel who participated in Project Deliverance. Law enforcement officials in Mexico also participated in this effort and I thank them for their support.

The success of Project Deliverance deals a significant blow to Mexican drug trafficking organizations by disrupting the transportation infrastructure necessary to distribute illegal drugs and weapons along the Southwest Border and throughout the United States. 

Yesterday’s arrests send the message that we are serious about stopping the violence and the continued flood of illegal drugs into our communities. I look forward to more collaborative efforts in the future.”

For more information about Project Deliverance, go to www.doj.gov

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