August 21, 2003 

* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *

Candy or Narcotics?

Berkeley Police Seize 2 ˝ Kilos of Concentrated Cannabis

Berkeley, CA. – On Thursday August 21, 2003, at approximately 1:00 P.M., the Berkeley Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit recovered approximately two and a half kilos (51/2 pounds) of concentrated cannabis (hashish) with a street value in excess of $500,000.00.   The seizure concludes a joint operation investigation with the U.S. Customs Service and U.S. Postal Service Investigators.

Narcotics detectives, working with evidence developed by the U.S. Customs Service, executed a controlled delivery of narcotics to a residence in the 1700 block of Ward Street.  The narcotics were originally sent from the Netherlands, shrink-wrapped in toffee boxes, disguised to look like candy.

After the delivery, a search warrant was executed yielding approximately 2 ˝ kilos of concentrated cannabis along with nearly $8,000 in cash.  Berkeley Police Narcotics Detective, Jack Friedman estimated the street value of the narcotics seized at over $500,000.00 and said, “If not for the hard work and diligence of the U.S. Customs Service and Postal Service Investigators, this would not have been possible.”

Two Berkeley residents were arrested in connection with the narcotics and booked into the City jail for multiple charges of importing narcotics, possession of narcotics and conspiracy.