Tucson One Target For Lawmen In "OPERATION TRIFECTA"

[DUreader]

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=1384840



Investigators from both sides of the border joined
forces Thursday to take down an international drug
ring.

Authorities call the takedown "Operation Trifecta." It
encompassed three countries, nine states -- including
Arizona -- and lasted nineteen months.

Attorney General John Ashcroft says local, state and
federal law enforcement officers arrested 63 suspects in the U.S.

There were 10 arrests in southern Arizona. Authorities seized cocaine and marijuana
along with six vehicles and $30,000 in cash. Lawmen also raided a local restaurant, El
Mezon Del Cobre at 1st & Glenn.

"Big surprise actually," says Tim Maybin, a forklift operator working near the restaurant.
"Seemed like a normal business operating over there. You would have never known."

The manager, Steve Silva, was recently arrested in New York and is believed to be a
major player in the international drug ring.

"I knew, I knew right off what was happening," says Cynthia Dunbar, Manager of Tierra
Stone Products nearby. She says she's overheard some pretty telling conversations
inside the restaurant across the street.