San Diego

Three Bolivians and four Mexicans arrested last week on charges that they were part of an international cocaine cartel were ordered held without bond Friday after a federal prosecutor argued that the men are dangerous and likely to flee the country.

Paul DiPaolo, an assistant U.S. attorney, said the men were part of a Bolivian-based cocaine organization capable of generating $5 million in cash in a single week.

“I don’t think any amount of money at all would ensure that the defendants will appear in the future,” DiPaolo said. “All are aliens with no ties to this country.”

U.S. Magistrate Roger Curtis McKee, citing the “risk of flight,” ordered the seven held pending trial.

The men face a variety of conspiracy-related charges that carry mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentences.

Their arrest Jan. 15 in the parking lot of a La Jolla supermarket was the culmination of a five-month investigation and sting operation conducted by U.S. Customs and Drug Enforcement Administration agents.

The men had been lured to the United States by the prospect of collecting $1.5 million in cash from the undercover agents, who posed as dealers looking to buy cocaine.

DiPaolo said Friday that DEA agents traveled to Bolivia earlier this week and confirmed the existence of two major cocaine laboratories allegedly run by the organization.

Five others indicted in the alleged conspiracy remain abroad.