Pubdate: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY) Copyright: 2004 Johnson Newspaper Corp. Contact: : P.O. box 409 Ogdensburg NY 13669 Website: http://www.ogd.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689 Note: Does not accept LTEs via feedback form. All LTEs must be mailed. Author: Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) POT RING NEW YORK - Federal officials said Thursday they had busted a drug ring that transported thousands of pounds of marijuana into the New York metro area. Twenty-two people in New York, Florida, Arizona, and Pennsylvania as part of a 9-month investigation dubbed " Operation Backyard," said Martin Ficke, special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York. Agents seized about $2.5 million. 150 pounds of marijuana, seven luxury vehicles, bulletproof vests and firearms, Ficke said in a statement. Court documents allege that the criminal organization relied upon an American Airlines employee at John F. Kennedy airport. The female employee helped arrange for the transportation of cash via couriers aboard American Airlines flights to Arizona, officials said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin