The Drug Enforcement Administration said Monday three people were arrested on suspicion of making and selling flavored cocaine and other drugs in Northern California.

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Gustavo Banuelos, 47, Eduardo Rosillo, 27, both of Modesto, and Samuel Nungaray, 23, of Manteca, were arrested, according to the DEA.

Law enforcement officers searched the men's homes and seized approximately seven pounds of regular cocaine, 1½ pounds of flavored cocaine, more than 2½ pounds of suspected methamphetamine, and five weapons, according to the DEA.

Some of the cocaine included flavors such as strawberry, lemon, coconut and cinnamon.

"Attempting to lure new, younger customers to a dangerous drug by adding candy flavors is an unconscionable marketing technique," said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gordon Taylor. "Cocaine is cocaine, and jail time is jail time no matter how you flavor it."

The arrest and search warrants were served without incident, authorities said.

The street value of the cocaine is estimated to be approximately $272,400.

The investigation began about 10 months ago, when agents received information that Banuelos was allegedly distributing large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine in the Modesto area, according to the DEA.

That same month, an undercover agent was introduced to Banuelos at a bar in Modesto to purchase cocaine.

During the course of the investigation, agents conducted more than six undercover purchases of cocaine, totaling more than 4 pounds, the DEA said.

Approximately 7 ounces of the purchased cocaine was flavored either with strawberry, lemon, coconut or cinnamon.

The undercover agent would contact Banuelos directly to arrange for the purchase of either regular cocaine or flavored cocaine, according to the affidavit.

DEA officials said that Banuelos would then meet with undercover agents at a local bar in Modesto to conduct the transaction.

The flavors offered to the undercover varied depending on availability of the product, according to the DEA.

The price of regular cocaine ranged from approximately $600 to $700 per ounce, while the flavored cocaine ranged from $1,100 to $1,400 per ounce, according to the DEA.

Court documents describe the strawberry-flavored cocaine as pink in color, the cinnamon-flavored an off-white/tan color, while the coconut-flavored appeared to be a fine white powdery substance with a coconut-like odor.

The investigation ended on March 6 when Banuelos agreed to meet with undercover agents at Vintage Faire Mall on Dale Road in Modesto, the DEA said.

Law enforcement conducted surveillance of Banuelos prior to his arrival at the mall, the DEA said.

Agents saw that Banuelos was being followed in a separate vehicle by a man, later identified as Nungaray, according to the DEA.

During the meeting, Banuelos delivered approximately 9 ounces of lemon cocaine, 5½ ounces of strawberry cocaine and more than 1 ounce of coconut cocaine to undercover agents, the DEA said.

Officers arrested both men without incident and searched Nungaray's car and found approximately 1 ounce of cocaine, a digital scale and a loaded .38-caliber semi-automatic pistol in the center console, the DEA said.

Court documents said Nungaray was acting as protection for Banuelos during the transaction.

Agents raided Banuelos' home and the home of his alleged supplier, Rosillo, authorities said.

According to the DEA, agents found approximately 1 ounce of flavored cocaine, more than 2½ pounds of suspected methamphetamine and one illegal sawed-off rifle at Banuelos' home.

At Rosillo's home officers found more than 4 pounds of cocaine from the kitchen, approximately 7½ ounces of cocaine from a candy bowl on the kitchen counter and 2 ounces of cocaine throughout the house, authorities said.

According to the DEA, agents also found three guns including a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, a .357-caliber revolver and a .32-caliber handgun, authorities said.

Banuelos is charged with distributing at least 500 grams of cocaine and with possession with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine, authorities said.

The charges are punishable by five to 40 years of jail, a $2 million fine and at least four years of supervised release.