Santa Monica police and FBI agents raided the homes of several controversial animal rights activists this week as part of an investigation into the underground Animal Liberation Front.

Among the targets were Dr. Jerry Vlasak and his wife, Pamelyn Ferdin, two well-known activists who regularly protest against Los Angeles animal services officials. They were not at their Agoura Hills home when police conducted the search. Vlasak said an officer had to enter through a pet door to get inside.

Santa Monica Police Capt. Alex Padilla said officers served search warrants in Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties on Tuesday. He would not provide details of the probe beyond saying that it was "an ongoing criminal stalking and conspiracy investigation involving members of the Animal Liberation Front."

An activist involved in protesting animal testing by the Santa Monica-based POM Wonderful company, the world's largest producer of pomegranate juice, said his home and those of others involved in the animal rights cause were raided.

The activists say the company has funded cruel experiments on mice and rabbits to prove the health benefits of the juice. They have said they have no affiliation with Vlasak and are in no way terrorists.

The search warrant for Vlasak's home authorized the seizure of any evidence of affiliation with the Animal Liberation Front, as well as evidence pertaining to POM Wonderful.

According to the search warrant, police seized computer equipment, animal rights books, pamphlets, T-shirts, fliers, a stuffed animal and "duffel bags w/ wrist rocket, 3/8" shot," an apparent reference to a type of slingshot. The FBI would not comment on the case.

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