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.