22 INDICTED IN STING; GUNS, DRUGS ARE SEIZED

OAKLAND -- Federal officials Thursday announced the arrests of 18
people indicted by a grand jury in Oakland, in a sting that netted
$7.5 million worth of methamphetamine and an arsenal of weapons.

After a two-year investigation, 22 people were indicted; four were
already in custody for other criminal violations. All but one of the
defendants are from Contra Costa County; the other is from Solano County.

U.S. Attorney Robert Mueller said an additional seven people have been
indicted in Nevada based on the same investigation, and the Contra
Costa County district attorney expects to charge 11 others.

Agents from six federal and state organizations raided homes and one
hotel in Richmond, San Pablo, Vallejo, Pittsburg and Pinole, where
labs had been established. Agents also seized at least $130,000 in
cash.