For study purposes, the State was divided into mostly rural units, mixed urban/rural units, mostly urban units, and Cook County. Results showed that nearly 20,000 drug cases were opened and investigated by MEGs between January 1988 and June 1994. These investigations led to more than 17,300 arrests, 75 percent of which were for illicit drug manufacturing and delivery. Almost 14,000 prosecutions were initiated by the State, with a conviction rate of 96 percent. In addition, drug law enforcement officers seized 334,000 pounds of cannabis; 6,700 pounds of cocaine; over 1,000 weapons; $7.8 million in cash; and $2.8 million in noncash property. 12 figures