Washington - The United States Attorney's Office announced on Thursday that 14 people were indicted for conspiring to distribute illegal drugs in South Carolina.

The case is part of Project Coronado, a coordinated, nationwide operation targetting the La Familia Cartel.

The La Familia Cartel, based in Michoacan, Mexico is suspected of importing and distributing crystal methamphetamine and cocaine throught the United States.

The 44-month investigation has resulted in 1200 arrests across the country with 303 individuals arrested in a sweep that began Wednesday.

During the two day operation alone, $3.4 million in cash, 109 vehicles and 144 weapons were seized, along with 729 methamphetamine, 62 kilograms of cocaine and 967 pounds of marijuana.

Indicted in the South Carolina case are: Armando Ramirez, 34, of Ladson; Ramiro Sanchez-Gaytan, 28, of Ladson; Orlando Sanchez-Ramirez, 22, of Ladson; Rosario Reyes, 31, of Ladson; Francisco Serrano, 33, of Summerville; Juan Melo-Reyes, 35, of Summerville; Rufino Santo Lopez of North Charleston; Juan Carlos Ramirez, 28, of North Charleston; Charles Willard Roberts, 65, of Moncks Corner; Rosendo Torres, 51, of Los Angeles, Calif; Martina Espinoza-Ramirez, 32, of Atlanta; Domingo Jaimes, 45, of Atlanta and Carmilo Ferrel Hernandez, 29, of Atlanta.

The suspects were charged in a seven-count superseding indictment with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, five grams or more of cocaine base, 50 grams or more of methamphatamine, and 500 grams or more of mixture containing methamphetamine.

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