U.S. arrests drug ring; 16 die in drug-related border battles

Federal authorities Wednesday announced indictments against the alleged leaders of six drug distribution rings charged with transporting cocaine and methamphetamine for one of Mexico's largest drug cartels, reports Richard Marosi.

"Thirty-five people face smuggling and conspiracy charges in what authorities described as a trafficking network based in the Imperial Valley. About $20 million in drugs and cash were seized during the 18-month investigation, according to federal prosecutors."

Meanwhile, drug-related fighting continues to claim lives in Tijuana.

The Associated Press is reporting this morning that "16 people were killed in 24 hours in the northern state across the U.S. border from California."

As Marosi reported last week, the ongoing violence in Tijuana is being interpreted by some as a sign that the Arellano Felix cartel is fracturing and losing its control of the city in which it was born and once dominated.

Read more about Tijuana here, and click here for more on Mexico.

Go to our "Mexico Under Siege" page for more about the drug wars here.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Photo: State police officers investigate the scene of a shootout between drug gangs in Tijuana on Saturday. Credit: Guillermo Arias / Associated Press