More Than 65 Arrested in Minnesota Heroin Sweep

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - More than 65 people suspected of selling heroin in Minnesota have been arrested as part of a sweep.

U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Andy Luger says the arrests "struck at the heart" of international drug cartels that have been doing business in the state and will have a significant impact on the heroin trade in Minnesota.

The operation that led to Thursday's arrests, called Operation Exile, began in December.

The Drug Enforcement Administration says some of the arrests happened in recent weeks, but the coordinated take-down began before dawn Thursday in the metro-area counties as well as St. Louis and Olmstead counties.

Minnesota health officials earlier this year said there have been nearly 300 heroin-related deaths in the state in the last 15 years. Ninety-eight people died last year alone.