MINNEAPOLIS — More than 65 people suspected of selling heroin have been arrested and about 2.5 kilograms of the drug are off the streets as part of a coordinated crackdown to rid Minnesota of the substance that has caused an alarming increase in deaths in recent years, authorities said Thursday.

Minnesota U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said the arrests “struck at the heart” of international drug cartels that have been doing business in the state and will have a significant impact on the heroin trade in Minnesota, making communities safer. He said more arrests are expected.

“Make no mistake about it. Heroin is deadly, and we will not tolerate it in Minnesota,” Luger said.

Jack Riley, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Midwest office, added: “We’ve punched organized crime right in the face.”

Earlier this year, preliminary numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health showed there were 290 heroin-related deaths in the state in the last 15 years. Ninety-eight people died last year alone.