Associated Press - November 21, 2009 4:45 PM ET

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) - An eight-week operation headed by the U.S. Attorney's Office has netted 79 arrests in the Yakima and Tri-Cities areas.

KONA radio in Kennewick reports that Operation Thunder Valley targeted drug traffickers, illegal aliens and fugitives in the region. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Rice says there were 21 arrests in Yakima and another 58 in the Tri-Cities area. Officers also seized eight firearms and took $14,000 in cash, drugs and stolen vehicles.

Authorities say prosecutors in Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties will handle the charges against those arrested in the sweep.

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