5 Held After 4-Year Investigation of Huge LSD Network
State and federal authorities announced Thursday what they believe is the largest LSD bust in U.S. history--1.5 million doses bought by undercover agents over a four-year period.
The operation culminated with the arrest Tuesday of five suspects accused of trying to distribute the drug to 13 states, including New York and Florida, state Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren said at a news conference.
Four of the suspects were residents of Bolinas in Marin County and a fifth was from San Francisco, Lungren said.
Four suspects were charged with conspiracy to distribute LSD and possession with the intent to distribute. They face a maximum of life in prison and a $4-million fine. A fifth suspect is being held on state charges and a sixth suspect is at large, Lungren said.
“We didn’t get the chemists this time, but we’re definitely in the game and we’re coming,” said federal drug enforcement official Chuck Crane.
A grand jury returned sealed federal indictments against the suspects on June 24 and by Tuesday, authorities had organized the 160 law enforcement officers who conducted the arrests and executed search warrants.
About 500 state, federal and municipal agents participated in the operation since it began, he said.
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