Drugs had been coming in from Mexico for more than a year.

BOSTON (AP) – Authorities seized 50 kilograms of cocaine and arrested 21 people in a weekend bust of an alleged ring that distributed cocaine around the North Shore.

The Lynn-based drug operation had been importing cocaine from Mexico since January 2003, the U.S. Attorney’s office said Monday.

The shipment stopped Saturday had been brought to Danvers in two suitcases in a tractor-trailer truck.

Two complaints charge 24 alleged members of the ring with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

Prosecutors said the ring’s alleged leader, Andres Martinez, 55, of Peabody, conspired with others to import the drugs from Mexico. The other defendants were allegedly involved in distributing the drugs. Two suspects are still at large, and one man is in custody in Maryland on separate charges.

The drugs were allegedly sold at businesses, including H.G. Apartment Rentals in Revere, Bob’s Carburetor/Bob’s Auto Sales in Salem and Giovanni’s BMW Auto Body in Lynn.

Officers recovered about $100,000 in cash after executing 11 search warrants in Lynn, Newburyport, Danvers, Salem, Malden and Peabody.

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment followed by three years of probation and a $1 million fine.

AP-ES-05-03-04 1825EDT