( CNN ) -- U.S. law enforcement seized thousands of pounds of drugs and arrested hundreds of people in a synchronized bust targeting Mexican drug cartels and their associates , federal authorities said Friday . The sweep involved several local , state and federal agencies , including the Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement , according to a statement from that organization . Together , they arrested 676 people and seized more than $ 12 million , 282 weapons and 94 vehicles around the United States . In addition , nearly 40,000 pounds of marijuana , 467 kilograms of cocaine , 64 pounds of methamphetamine and 21 pounds of heroin were captured in the operation , the statement said . John Morton , the immigration and customs agency 's director , said the effort showed what U.S. law enforcement could do when working together on the issue , while stressing that its work was n't complete . `` Through our continued coordination and cooperation with Mexican law enforcement , ICE agents and officers will strike at the very heart of these organizations by seizing the drugs , guns and money that fuel their criminal enterprises , '' Morton said . The joint operation began Wednesday , roughly a week and a half after immigrations and customs ' agent Jaime Zapata was ambushed on a highway while working in Mexico . Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Michael Sanders said the agencies are trying to send a message to cartel operatives in the United States . He described most of the targets as mid- to high-level dealers , the type who have day jobs but work in cells that distribute drugs and return drug money to Mexico . A Houston police officer was shot Thursday as he tried to serve a narcotics warrant while taking part in the sweep . Officers returned fire , striking the suspect . The suspect 's condition was unknown , police spokesman Kese Smith said . Houston police officer Nash Patel was struck in the elbow and lower backside but was in good condition at the hospital , Smith said . The people arrested this week belong to several cartels , Sanders said . The cells tend to be small and work in an isolated fashion , so it 's possible that multiple cells from the same cartel may operate in the same city without knowing each other . Those arrested could face federal drug charges or various state charges , depending on the evidence collected . CNN 's Mariano Castillo contributed to this report .
Law enforcement agencies work together to target Mexican drug cartel operations in the U.S. $ 12 million , 282 arrests , 25 vehicles , 40,000 pounds of pot , 467 kilos of cocaine seized . The coordinated bust began Wednesday and targeted areas around the U.S . It began a week and a half after a U.S. agent was killed while working in Mexico .