More than 300 quarter horses allegedly part of a cartel money laundering scheme were sold by the U.S. government for about $8.8 million, according to U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman.

About two-thirds of the seized horses were sold on the weekend at Heritage Place Auction Facility in Oklahoma City. 

The much sought -after horse, A Dash of Sweet Heat, sold for $1 million, officials said. 

The Associated Press reported that 15 people were charged in the case, and they allegedly funneled millions of dollars in drug profits through quarter horse operations, according to federal prosecutors. 

Most of the horses that were seized came from a sprawling ranch in Lexington, Okla., that prosecutors say was run by Jose Trevino Morales, the brother of two alleged leaders of the Zeta drug cartel in Mexico, the Associated Press reported.

"Like all criminal organizations, the Zetas are motivated by money. Identifying and taking their assets is an important way to lay an axe to the root of the tree. If successful, the forfeiture of these assets will represent a major step in our efforts to interrupt the cartel's activity within in the United States," Pitman said.

The U.S. government still has about 45 quarter horses to auction, including Tempting Dash, the winner of the Dash for Cash at Lone Star Park race track in Grand Prairie, Texas, on Oct. 24, 2009. They also have other prized horses including Mr. Piloto, $1 million All American Futurity winner at Ruidoso Downs on Labor Day, 2010; Dashin Follies, Separate Fire, and Y516, a yearling seized on Zule Farms in Lexington, OK. 

Officials said those horses are expected to be auction at a later date. 

Pitman said the proceeds from the sale will be held in escrow pending a forfeiture auction. 

"This investigation has helped to disrupt this alleged international drug cartel's U.S.-based money-laundering operations and demonstrates the lengths that U.S. law enforcement will go to deprive criminal organizations of the fruits of their illegal activities," said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Steve McCullough.