Contra Costa Bust Leads To 17 Arrests, $18M In Drugs Seized

SAN PABLO (CBS / AP) -- Authorities in the East Bay have arrested 17 people and seized $18 million in drugs in what officials describe as one of the region's biggest drug busts.

The Contra Costa Times reports that a two-year operation centered in western Contra Costa County that included local and federal officials resulted in the seizure of $950,000 in cash, 475 pounds of methamphetamine, 158 grams of cocaine, several guns with high capacity magazines and cars and motorcycles. The arrests were announced on Thursday, though they began in November.

Authorities didn't identify the arrested suspects, but said they had ties to the Norteno street gang. The drugs were allegedly provided by the Mexico-based Sinaloa drug cartel.

Officers from 10 local agencies supervised by the state Department of Justice and assisted by the FBI participated in the investigation.