'Pot' plot leads to jail

2006-09-27 12:28

Oakland, California - A drug dealer caught manufacturing joke candy spiked with marijuana agreed on Tuesday to a lengthy jail term after pleading guilty, US justice officials in California said.

Kenneth Affolter, 39, admitted managing marijuana crops with the intention of manufacturing and distributing a range of potent candy and soft-drinks that parodied well-known brands.

US Federal Agents in March raided warehouses in Oakland and Emeryville registered to a company known as 'Beyond Bomb', and seized items with labels including 'Munchy Way', 'Pot Tarts', 'Puffsi' and 'Toka-Cola'.

In a plea deal with prosecutors subject to court approval, Affolter agreed to a 70-month jail term for his leading role in the plot.

Affolter admitted 11 other co-defendants in the case were employees he had hired to work at his facilities, and that he had been responsible for the production and distribution of more than 1 000 marijuana plants.

"While real candy may give you cavities, these individuals know that marijuana candy can get you jail time," stated Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena.

Four of Affolter's former employees and co-defendants have also entered guilty pleas.

- AFP