LARGE CANDY PURCHASES - Investigated by FBI

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bergen.com

Large candy purchases investigated by FBI

Saturday, October 20, 2001

By MITCHEL MADDUX and PETER POCHNA Staff Writers

The FBI said Friday that it is investigating the cash purchase of "large quantities" of candy from Costco stores in Hackensack and Wayne.

"We have been advised and we are looking into the incident of a gentleman buying large quantities of candy," said Sandra Carroll, an FBI spokeswoman in Newark.

Carroll declined to identify the purchaser, but indicated that he is in federal custody for immigration law reasons not related to the purchase of the candy.

"I cannot comment on INS detainees," Carroll said.

Carroll said it would be premature to draw conclusions about the purchaser's intent for the candy, which agents had not found by Friday night. She declined to describe the candy.

"We have no evidence or information for us to suspect there is any reason to cancel scheduled events," Carroll said when asked if the FBI had concerns about the safety of Halloween. "However, the public is encouraged to remain alert but calm."

Hackensack police took a report from Costco about the candy purchase at the Hackensack store at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday. The police then contacted the FBI.

"They told us to stay out of it," said Hackensack Police Chief Charles "Ken" Zisa.

Zisa said the FBI had already learned about the purchase. A local Costco manager had reported the incident to corporate headquarters, near Seattle, and had sent a videotape from a store security camera, Zisa said.

An official at Costco's corporate headquarters said Friday night that no one was available to comment on the matter. Another Costco official, who declined to be identified, said such large purchases from the chain of wholesale grocery and household goods stores are not uncommon.

Kerry Gill, a spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service in Newark, said he could not discuss the case because of confidentiality policies.

-- Anonymous, October 21, 2001

Answers

Remember the good 'ol days, when Hersheys was crippled by its y2k upgrade and couldn't meet the demand that fall?

-- Anonymous, October 22, 2001

I don't know about this one. In the Va. Beach Price Club, we often saw Middle Easterners loading up on large amounts of candy and cigaarettes. We figured they sold them to transportationless neighbors at inflated prices "under the counter" so that they didn't have to declare income and taxes. But it being so close to Hallowe'en, I think I'd have to wonder too.

-- Anonymous, October 22, 2001

I realy wonder if anyone will allow their kids to go door to door for Halloween?

Trick or treating has fallen into decline as parents lean toward parties, either at restaraunts or private homes.

-- Anonymous, October 22, 2001


For what it's worth, our neighborhood used to be swamped with van loads of kids from the bad end of town. Their parents brought them up here to Trick or Treat. That hasn't happened for the last two years. Last year, I saw one group of four or five pre-schoolers right at sunset, escorted by three adults. Everyone else either had house parties or went to the big bash at the local mall.

My porch lights will be off this year.

-- Anonymous, October 22, 2001


We've been hiding out for the last ten years. We have those great curved vertical blinds that don't let a chink of light show through and we switch off all the exterior lights, except for the dim low-voltage garden lights.

-- Anonymous, October 22, 2001


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