TWELVE ARRESTED IN ALLEGED POT CANDY OPERATION

Federal drug agents arrested 12 people Thursday in connection with a
marijuana candy operation, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Agents seized four indoor marijuana growing operations, between 4,000
and 5,000 marijuana plants, $100,000 in cash, three weapons and
hundreds of marijuana-laced candy and soft drinks, according to the
Drug Enforcement Administration.

The raids were conducted at four warehouses in Emeryville and
Oakland, as well as a Lafayette home, Justice Department spokeswoman
Casey McEnry said.

The investigation began last October when the DEA received a tip that
a Lafayette man was running Beyond Bomb, a marijuana candy
manufacturer in Oakland. The candy and soft drinks mimic real sweets
with names like Stoney Ranchers, Rasta Reece's, Buddafingers and Pot Tarts.

The group, whose names have not yet been released, were being held
Thursday on charges of marijuana cultivation and distribution, McEnry
said. Their initial court appearances were scheduled for Friday in
San Francisco, she said.

The case was investigated by federal agents along with police in
Richmond, Oakland, Lafayette and two county narcotics enforcement teams.