DALLAS — Drug Enforcement Administration agents — helped by an army of local and state police — raided homes and businesses across North Texas on Wednesday, targeting what they called one of the largest methamphetamine rings in the nation.

DEA says a notorious and violent drug cartel called "La Familia" was distributing the meth and cocaine out of Dallas.

SWAT teams arrested dozens of people, confisicated numerous weapons and drugs.

Sources said the La Familia gang is extremely violent, and known to torture their victims.

Law enforcement agents hit 38 locations in the Dallas area, including DeSoto, Duncanville and Grand Prairie.

In Allen, a SWAT team member shot at one of the suspects as they moved in; no one was injured in that incident.

Across the nation, federal agents said they have at least 300 warrants.

E-mail rlopez@wfaa.com