**More than 300 people have been arrested in a series of drug raids targeting a Mexican drug cartel operating in the US, American officials have said.**The two-day operation, which involved thousands of police officers in 14 US states, is the latest aimed at the cartel known as La Familia.
It was part of Project Coronado, which has led to almost 1,200 arrests over four years, officials said.
The US attorney general said the cartel had been dealt a “significant blow”.
La Familia is based in the western Mexican state of Michoacan.
It has been accused of carrying out bloody attacks on Mexican security forces.
LA FAMILIA
- Previously believed to answer to Gulf Cartel, listed as separate group in March 2009 government report
- Combines code of violence with idea of protecting people in Michoacan from outsiders
- Also involved in counterfeiting, extortion, kidnapping, armed robbery, prostitution, protection rackets
‘Family values’ of Mexico drug gang](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/americas/8319924.stm)
Announcing the arrest of 303 suspected cartel members on Thursday, Attorney General Eric Holder described the gang as demonstrating “an incredible level of sophistication and ruthlessness”.
He said the raids had disrupted the cartel’s operations in the US.
“This operation has dealt a significant blow to La Familia’s supply chain of illegal drugs, weapons and cash flowing between Mexico and the United States,” he said.
He said he believed the Mexican government was doing a good job in combating cartels.
“They face a problem of almost unimaginable dimension,” he said.