2 Arrests End 13-Month Probe of Credit Fraud : Crime: Nearly 100 people have been implicated in a Southland card counterfeiting ring.

Two arrests ended a 13-month Southland counterfeit credit-card inquiry. Authorities recovered cards that could have been used to ring up $170 million in fraudulent charges, they said.

According to a release issued Sunday by the U.S. Secret Service, the investigation targeted nearly 100 individuals who have been arrested in connection with allegations of manufacture and distribution of counterfeit credit cards. The last two arrests were made Friday. Law enforcement agents also seized credit-card making instruments, computers and large numbers of counterfeit cards in various stages of production.

James E. Bauer, special agent in charge of the Los Angeles office of the Secret Service, on Sunday confirmed the operation but declined to comment further in advance of a news conference scheduled for Tuesday.

The investigation was a joint effort of credit card industry officials and numerous law enforcement agencies, including the office of the U.S. Attorney and the Secret Service.

On Sunday, Dalton L. Backus, 62, of Los Angeles confirmed that he had been arrested on charges of credit card fraud but said that he was entrapped. “They took advantage of a bad personal situation. I’m looking at tremendous medical costs to take care of my wife over the next few years; she has Alzheimer’s.”

Backus is the owner of TriTel Custom Cards in North Hollywood, which manufactures plastic cards.

Also arrested Friday on similar charges was Brian A. Dunmore, 33, of Chatsworth. Dunmore confirmed he was arrested but declined to comment, on advice of his attorney. Dunmore is the owner of Plas-Tech Resources in Lake View Terrace, which also manufactures plastic cards.

Both men are free on bail.