2 Long Island Men Accused In Alleged Marijuana Network Face Arraignment

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Two Long Island men accused in an alleged marijuana network will face a judge Wednesday.

Alleged ringleader, 27-year-old Brian Poole of Bellport, and his alleged top salesman, 29-year-old Eric Gomez of Calverton, will be arraigned in criminal court in Riverhead, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

Listen to 2 Long Island Men To Be Arraigned On Drug Charges

Some of the pot came in candy form, Spota said.

"You take a piece of candy, rather than smoking the marijuana, and it's like a cough drop," the DA said.

The suspects allegedly imported, sold and distributed 11 different strains of powerful California-grown marijuana. Some were marketed under the names "Jack the Ripper," "Green Crack," and "Girl Scout Cookies," WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported.

"Keep Kids Drug Free" license plate purchased by alleged drug dealer Eric Gomez. (credit: Suffolk County Police)

Both were arrested last month in a joint investigation by the district attorney's office, the Suffolk County Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security.

"During the course of this joint investigation, Poole arranged the monthly delivery of approximately 80 pounds of California marijuana to Suffolk County. His profits averaged from $500 to $800 per pound, depending on the strain of marijuana he chose to import to sell here," Spota said.

Detectives seized tens of thousands of dollars in cash inside a child's backpack in the trunk of Gomez's Camaro, officials said.

Gomez also purchased a personal license plate for his BMW, bearing the letters "LIFTD" -- which officials said is street slang for getting high -- next to the anti-drug message "Keep Kids Drug Free," Spota said.

Other items seized during the investigation include drug paraphernalia, weapons, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and several homes used as alleged processing locations, Xirinachs reported.