Pubdate: Tue, 28 Aug 2001
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (AR)
Copyright: 2001 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ardemgaz.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/25

293 ARRESTED IN METH STING IN CALIFORNIA

LANCASTER, Calif. -- Nearly 300 people were arrested during an 18-month 
methamphetamine sting, including some locally prominent businessmen.

"Some of the folks picked up were substantial citizens in the eyes of some 
people," Lancaster Mayor Frank C. Roberts said. "They were not the kind of 
folks who were supposed to be handling methamphetamine."

The suspects are connected to a loose organization of methamphetamine 
manufacturers, most of them in the Antelope Valley, according to 
accusations filed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Los 
Angeles County sheriff's deputies. Authorities say the ring has ties to 
white supremacist and biker groups, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

The sting, dubbed Operation Silent Thunder, concluded last week after 293 
arrests and the seizure of methamphetamine. Of those arrested, 233 have 
criminal records and 72 are members of white supremacist groups, 
authorities said.
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