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Law
U.S. claims 400 meth arrests in 'Operation Wildfire'


The Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration claimed over 400 arrests in an anti-methamphetamine initiative known as "Operation Wildfire."

The DOJ and DEA said the coordinated effort involved over 200 U.S. cities and , state, and local law enforcement. The press releases did not state whether tribal law enforcement was involved. Neither Attorney General Alberto Gonzales nor DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy mentioned tribes in their prepared remarks.

None of the cities or jurisdictions listed by the DEA were on reservations either, according to the press materials. But urban areas near reservations in New Mexico, Arizona and Montana were included.

In Arizona, U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton met with officials of the San Carlos Apache Tribe to discuss law enforcement issues. Charlton said he will get tougher on meth dealers, The Apache Moccasin reported. Tribal leaders said drug problems are on the rise on the reservation.

The DEA also announced the launch of http://www.justthinktwice.com, an anti-meth web site aimed at young people.

Get the Story:
400 Arrested in U.S. Methamphetamine Raids (The Washington Post 8/31)
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400 Arrested Across Nation In Methamphetamine Sweep (AP 8/31)
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Attorney promises meth dealer crackdowns (The Apache Moccasin 8/30)

Relevant Documents:
DEA Press Release | DEA Fact Sheet | DEA Remarks | DOJ Remarks

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