Pubdate: Fri, 17 Mar 2006
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2006 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Henry K. Lee, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

DEA SAYS POT CANDY IS NOT DANDY

2 Arrested -- Group Accused Of Making Drug-Laced Treats, Beverages

Federal drug agents raided warehouses in Oakland and Emeryville and 
arrested a Lafayette man and 11 other people Thursday on charges that 
they made candy and soft drinks resembling popular goodies but laced 
with marijuana.

Authorities say Kenneth Affolter, 39, of Lafayette is the leader of 
the outfit, which called itself Beyond Bomb and allegedly 
manufactured a range of pot-laced treats with names Buddahfingers, 
Munchy Way, Rasta Reece's and Puff-a-Mint Pattie.

"This is the biggest candy marijuana factory that we have seen on the 
West Coast," said Javier Pena, special agent in charge of the federal 
Drug Enforcement Administration in San Francisco.

"There was a great deal of sophistication that involved different 
labels, pretty much knockoffs of the real thing. This is potentially 
dangerous for kids and people who don't know what they're eating and 
what they're drinking."

The defendants are to appear today in U.S. District Court in San 
Francisco on charges of distribution of marijuana.

Drug agents searched two adjoining warehouses on Yerba Buena Avenue 
where the marijuana candy was produced. They also searched a 
warehouse on Adeline Street, Affolter's Lafayette home and 1740 
Telegraph Ave. in Oakland, a location associated with the 
Compassionate Caregivers Club, a medical marijuana dispensary, 
authorities said.

During the raids, investigators seized about $100,000 in cash, 
between 4,000 and 5,000 marijuana plants, marijuana-growing 
equipment, three weapons and hundreds of sodas and candy laced with 
marijuana, Pena said.

The doctored treats were packaged for shipment throughout the West 
Coast, authorities said.

The investigation began in October when DEA agents in Oakland learned 
of the operation. On Thursday, agents seized numerous candies and 
drinks with labels including, Keef Kat, Stoney Ranchers, Puffsi and Toka-Cola.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman