POT RING

NEW YORK - Federal officials said Thursday they had busted a drug ring
that transported thousands of pounds of marijuana into the New York
metro area.

Twenty-two people in New York, Florida, Arizona, and Pennsylvania as
part of a 9-month investigation dubbed " Operation Backyard," said
Martin Ficke, special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement in New York.

Agents seized about $2.5 million. 150 pounds of marijuana, seven
luxury vehicles, bulletproof vests and firearms, Ficke said in a statement.

Court documents allege that the criminal organization relied upon an
American Airlines employee at John F. Kennedy airport. The female
employee helped arrange for the transportation of cash via couriers
aboard American Airlines flights to Arizona, officials said.