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11 arrested, drugs and cash seized in Central Valley investigation

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A nearly yearlong investigation has led to the dismantling of a drug organization that distributed narcotics from Mexico to the Central Valley, and from there all over the country, authorities said Monday.

At a Fresno news conference, California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris said that a task force led by the Department of Justice had arrested 11 people and seized 56 pounds of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, 942 marijuana plants, one vehicle and nearly $269,000 in cash.

The alleged network was known as the Magana organization and Harris said it was based in Tulare County.

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In June 2011, Harris announced a Central Valley sweep in which authorities said they arrested high-ranking gang leaders living in tiny farm towns, directing a web of human, gun and drug trafficking. Four months later, authorities made arrests up and down Interstate 5 in the Gilroy region.

At that time, Harris announced additional funding for gang task forces in the Central Valley, but her agency’s budget soon took a large hit during the recession.

On Monday, Harris used the arrests to call for Gov. Brown and California legislators to restore at least part of the $71-million cut.

“My California Department of Justice Task Force worked closely with local, state and federal law enforcement officials throughout the Central Valley to dismantle the Magana organization,” she said. “Our success shows the pressing need for more collaboration and funding to fight transnational drug trafficking in California.”

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Twitter: @DianaMarcum

diana.marcum@latimes.com

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