NEW YORK — Junior welterweight contender Edgar "El Chamaco" Santana was among 12 people arrested today on charges of taking part in an international cocaine trafficking ring.

Prosecutors said Santana conspired with the other suspects to smuggle cocaine from Puerto Rico into New York. Narcotics detectives arrested the suspects early Friday. They seized several pounds of cocaine and $450,000 in cash as part of the investigation, dubbed "Operation Special Delivery."

The suspects are from Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Yonkers and Puerto Rico. Prosecutors said all are charged with counts related to sale and possession of cocaine. They were to appear in a Manhattan court later Friday.

Santana, whose Web site bills him as "The Pride of Spanish Harlem," hasn't yet fought for a title, but had been moving in that direction. The 29-year-old fighter outpointed well-regarded prospect Josesito Lopez in Miami in April.

Santana (24-3, 15 KOs) was scheduled to fight next on Aug. 6 against Ali Oubaali (21-3, 17 KOs) in the main event of a card to be televised on ESPN2.