Pubdate: Wed, 22 Aug 2001
Source: Deseret News (UT)
Copyright: 2001 Deseret News Publishing Corp.
Contact:  http://www.desnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/124

DRUG AGENTS ARREST 293 TO CAP LA - AREA METH PROBE

LANCASTER, Calif. (AP) — Drug enforcement agents concluded an 18-month 
investigation Tuesday by arresting nearly 300 people and seizing more than 
$2 million worth of methamphetamines.

More than 200 agents raided two dozen buildings throughout northeast Los 
Angeles County, authorities said.

The investigation targeted mainly methamphetamine traffickers, Los Angeles 
County Deputy Margarita Velazquez said.

Many of the 293 people arrested were associated with "organizations 
practicing white supremacist ideologies," Velazquez said.

During the investigation, agents closed 16 methamphetamine labs, seized 
more than $500,000 in cash and hundreds of firearms, including automatic 
weapons and explosives, officials said.

A routine drug arrest 18 months ago triggered the investigation.
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