OPERATOR OF DRUG RING GIVEN LIFE SENTENCE

John Ward, who authorities say operated Orange County's largest
methamphetamine ring--an enterprise that sometimes grossed more than $1
million a week--was sentenced this week to life without parole in federal
prison.

Ward, 31, of Orange, was convicted in October on multiple counts of
narcotics violations and money laundering, and he was stripped of more than
$1 million in cash, jewelry and cars.

During his trial before Judge Gary L. Taylor at U.S. District Court in
Santa Ana, Ward and his defense lawyer said investigators never found nor
seized methamphetamine or cocaine from him and said he made his income from
gambling. But federal authorities said Ward operated a drug trafficking
ring that earned as much as $10 million between 1996 and 1999.

Bryan Kazarian, 37, of Aliso Viejo, a former Orange County deputy district
attorney, pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy charge and is scheduled to be
sentenced March 18.