GUATEMALA CITY – Agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Tuesday led an operation against drug trafficking in the eastern Guatemalan province of Zacapa that resulted in five arrests.

President Alvaro Colom confirmed to reporters that Guatemalan police and troops also took part in the DEA operation in the town of La Reforma in search of cocaine, pseudoephedrine – the main ingredient in methamphetamine – and weapons.

Colom said the intelligence work had been started last weekend and on Tuesday it led to raids on several homes with search warrants.

The agents, who were estimated to number around 100, were heavily armed and wore masks, one of those whose homes were searched told a radio station.

Ubaldino Lorenzana told Sonora es la Noticia that the agents entered his home by force firing their weapons and he accused them of stealing weapons, jewelry and cash and then leaving him tied up when they left.

National Police chief Porfirio Perez said that the situation in La Reforma “is under control,” adding that at least five people had been taken into custody.

Perez, however, did not say if during the operation, which was supported by at least seven helicopters, the DEA and Guatemalan security agents had found any drugs or weapons.

For several years, the DEA has had an office in the U.S. Embassy in this country to collaborate with local authorities in the fight against drug trafficking.

Perez also said that another operation is being carried out with the support of the army in the southeastern province of Jutiapa, where authorities are looking for drug and weapons traffickers. EFE