Drug trafficking ring linked to cartel

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Federal authorities say members of a major drug trafficking and money laundering Albuquerque organization recently named in an indictment had connections to the deadly Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico.

Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Keith Brown said Friday that the 15 men named in a 29-count federal indictment unsealed last week worked as a large marijuana and cocaine distributor for the violent cartel.

The indictment stems from a multi-agency, nine-month investigation into the major criminal empire that federal officials say also operated in parts of Texas and Florida.

Federal said some of the men bought eight race horses and may have used them to hide their business dealings.

Of the 15 named in the indictment, federal officials said two remained at large.