Two Iowans and a Missourian are in federal custody after an internationaldrug sting, breaking up what authorities call a methamphetamine pipelinebetween Iowa and Mexico. An official at the Mexican Embassy in WashingtonD-C reports the three were taken into custody in Colima ,Mexico on Thursday. Jose Zabalgoitia is Minister ofInformation for the Mexican Embassy. He says one suspect, John Briggs ofClark County, Missouri, was a top lieutenant in a meth production anddistribution ring based in southeastern Iowa. He believes that good thingshappen when Mexico and the U.S. work together. Mexican officials say thethree suspects were involved with two Mexicans who were arrested last monthin Colima, along with three TONS of cocaine, the 2nd largest cocaine bust inMexican history. Zabalgoitia says the F-B-I and D-E-A both put out fullalerts on the three suspects. The other suspects are identified as MichellePrivia and Kinzie Butcher, both from the Keokuk area. All three are beingbrought back to the U-S.
