NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Police have charged 24 people in a New Jersey drug bust involving popular candy that were apparently turned into marijuana edibles.
After a year-long investigation named operation "On the Ropes," officials seized half a ton of candy with a cannabis twist, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.
About 21,000 pieces of candy, 1,100 pounds of marijuana and over 6,000 flavored vape cartridges containing THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, were seized.
"They also routinely bought hundreds of containers of tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC distillate - basically a THC-concentrated liquid," Gramiccioni said.
The estimated street value of the items seized by authorities is about $1.9 million, Gramiccioni added.
Arrests were made in six New Jersey counties and investigators say the ring operated on both coasts of the United States.
Prosecutors alleged the drug ring worked out of an unsuspecting warehouse in Monmouth County.
They would take regular store-bought candy such as Nerds and Sour Patch Kids and line trays with parchment paper, spread out the candy, spray it with liquid THC, converting it into illegal edibles.
They would then, repackage the treats with brightly colored wrappers that could entice teens and children, officials announced Tuesday.
The counterfeit candy looks nearly identical to candy bought at convenience stores and contains an unknown amount of THC, Gramiccioni said while holding up a bag of Sour Patch Kids.
"Colorful and sugary candy like what we seized are among the best selling edible pot products on the black market. Counterfeit candy is making the rounds and they constitute an extreme danger to our community, particularly the children,” Gramiccioni said.
Officials arrested 27-year-old Dylon Addvensky, the alleged East Coast ring leader. Addvensky faces charges that include leading a narcotics trafficking network and multiple drug distribution and conspiracy. Authorities say he employed others that helped him create and distribute the products.Police also cuffed 40-year-old Eric Karlewicz and 27-year-old Nicco Romanowski, who are the suppliers, Gramiccioni said.
Police are still searching for one suspect from Los Angeles, California who arranged shipments of THC products from the West Coast to New Jersey.
Authorities alleged that profits made from sales went towards extravagant purchases such as exotic cars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris.There were over $10 million in assets seized by police, including 21 luxury cars totaling $2.7 million, officials said.