The recent drug busts were made in Wake, Chatham, Wayne and other surrounding counties within North Carolina and other U.S. states. However, this operation in all has gathered much more than what was found in this November swoop.

On October 22, 2009 19 states were in focus of arrests in Project Coronado. Overall 2.2 tons of Cocaine, 2,700 pounds of Methamphetamine, 29 pounds of Heroin, 16,400 pounds of Marijuana, 389 weapons, 269 vehicles, and two drug labs were seized.

What is La Familia Michoacana drug cartel?

La Familia Michoacana drug cartel is formally allied to Gulf Cartel, as a part of Los Zetas, and has split off into it's own organization during 2006. The cartel's active leader Nazario Moreno Gonzalez, known as El Mas Loco, was said to teach his organization the "devine right" to eliminate enemies, a true test of the La Familia Michoacana drug cartel. The "devine right" in the eyes of the cartel may surprise some.

During 2006 a couple of decapitated heads were found with a note that read "The family does not kill for money. It doesn't kill women. It doesn't kill innocent people, only those who deserve to die. Know that this is devine justice."

"La Familia was created to look after the interests of our people and our family. We are a necessary evil," Servando Gomez Martinez stated on a July 2006 television messages as he added, "The only thing we want is peace and tranquility." Servando Gomez Martinez identified himself as the chief of operations back then.

In time La Familia grew in measure.

President Calderon has noted the possibility that the cartel may be be an obstacle for Mexican democracy since during the summer of 2009 the connection between Mexico's drug wars and the Mexican police force began to fall into the spotlight.

The United States and other countries were diverted by the swine flu outbreak in Mexico which unfolded during the heat of the drug war battle. However, the Mexican drug war began to slip back into focus through the media circuit.

As for operation Project Coronado and North Carolina, 50 assumed members of La Familia have been placed under arrest.