( CNN ) -- A sweeping drug bust in Puerto Rico involving more than 500 U.S. drug agents and Puerto Rican police early Friday is being described by officials as the biggest drug trafficking arrest/operation ever conducted on the Caribbean island . `` This ... massive operation rid the west coast of Puerto Rico of the most hard-core and violent traffickers terrorizing this part of the Island , '' said Javier F. Pena , special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration 's Caribbean Division , in a joint statement released by that agency and the Department of Justice . In the statement , authorities announced that a federal grand jury indicted 158 people -- including drug ring leaders , suppliers , supervisors , runners and sellers -- as a result of the joint investigation . The defendants are charged in three different indictments with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin , crack , cocaine and marijuana , as well as conspiracy to possess firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime , the statement said . If convicted , the defendants would face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment , with fines of up to $ 4 million . Many of the arrests were made at a public housing complex near schools and sport facilities where officials expect some 300,000 visitors and 600 athletes from about 33 countries for the Central American and Caribbean Games , according to the statement . The games start July 17 in Mayaguez .
Biggest drug trafficking arrest-operation ever conducted on Puerto Rico , officials say . More than 500 U.S. drug agents and Puerto Rican police were involved . 158 people are indicted on drug- and gun-related charges . If convicted , defendants would face up to life in prison , $ 4 million in fines .