DEA seizes candy-flavored cocaine

MODESTO, Calif., March 10 (UPI) -- Candy-flavored cocaine, worth more than a quarter-million dollars on the street, was seized and three people arrested in California, authorities said Monday.

Besides the 1 1/2 pounds of the flavored cocaine, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized 7 pounds regular cocaine, more than 2 1/5 pounds suspected methamphetamine and five weapons, the DEA said in a news release. Some of the seized cocaine included flavors such as strawberry, lemon, coconut and cinnamon.

"Attempting to lure new, younger customers to a dangerous drug by adding candy flavors is an unconscionable marketing technique," DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gordon Taylor said in the release. "Cocaine is cocaine and jail time is jail time, no matter how you flavor it."

The arrests and seizure culminate a 10-month undercover operation, Taylor said.

Gustavo Banuelos, 47, Modesto, was charged with distributing at least 500 grams of cocaine. Eduardo Rosillo, 29, also of Modesto, and Samuel Nungaray, 23, Manteca, Calif., were charged with conspiracy and with possession with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine.