8 ARRESTED IN DRUG STING

Berkeley -- Eight people who allegedly sold LSD and marijuana to an
undercover police officer along Telegraph Avenue and at People's Park
were arrested yesterday after a six-week operation.

Berkeley and University of California at Berkeley police had conducted
a joint ``buy'' program, during which 16 people sold drugs to an
undercover officer while other plainclothes officers monitored the
deals, police said.

But instead of arresting them immediately, police continued the sting
so as not to blow their cover, said Berkeley police Sgt. Alec Boga.
One suspect tried to commit suicide yesterday by strangling himself
with a towel at the Berkeley City Jail, but he was taken to a
hospital, Boga said.