HOUSTON (AP) - Authorities say nearly four dozen people have been arrested in a Southeast Texas drug trafficking-related investigation dubbed Operation Wrecking Ball.

Law enforcement officers say the 43-count indictment, returned in November and unsealed Wednesday, targets cocaine and heroin deals in the Houston and Galveston areas.

A statement from federal prosecutors in Houston says 47 suspects have been taken into custody in the investigation of alleged crimes since 2016. Nine other suspects are fugitives. More than $3 million was seized.

Prosecutors say the charges are related to drug trafficking, plus conspiracy to commit money laundering and illegally transferring money to avoid reporting requirements.

Investigators say drugs were smuggled into Texas from Colombia and Mexico, then distributed via Houston to Georgia, New York, Florida, Louisiana and Virginia.

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