5 Held in Beverly Hills Drug Raids

Four men and a woman, suspected of being major cocaine suppliers in Los Angeles County, were arrested Thursday after raids on their Beverly Hills homes that authorities said netted a cache of arms and nine pounds of cocaine worth more than $2 million, police announced today.

Records seized during the raids indicate that the drug ring had been in operation several years, authorities said. The five suspects, all foreign nationals from various countries, include Beverly Hills building contractor Antonio Miano, 36, who authorities allege had the greatest involvement in the drug operation. The suspects were being held in Culver City jail in lieu of up to $350,000 bail.