293 DRUG ARRESTS IN CALIF. PROBE

LANCASTER, Calif. -- Drug enforcement agents concluded an 18-month
investigation Tuesday by arresting nearly 300 people and seizing more than
$2 million worth of methamphetamines.

More than 200 agents raided two dozen buildings throughout northeast Los
Angeles County, authorities said.

The investigation targeted mainly methamphetamine traffickers, Los Angeles
County Deputy Margarita Velazquez said.

Many of the 293 people arrested were associated with "organizations
practicing white supremacist ideologies," Velazquez said.

During the investigation, agents closed 16 methamphetamine labs, seized
more than $500,000 in cash and hundreds of firearms, including automatic
weapons and explosives, officials said.

A routine drug arrest 18 months ago triggered the investigation.