Article published on October 22nd, 1984.

HEADLINE: POLICEMEN WATCH FOR POISONED CANDY

TOKYO (AP) Ten thousand policemen and hundreds of employees of a candy manufacturer watched stores in Japan's Osaka region after a group of candy-poisoning extortionists threatened to contaminate more candy.

Police said there were no reports of poisoned Morinaga Co. candy products, but said they will continue tight surveillance over the weekend.

The extortionists, calling themselves "The Man with 21 Faces," began terrorizing Osaka earlier this month by planting at least 14 boxes of candy containing lethal doses of cyanide on store shelves.

Although the only poisoned can- dies have been in the Osaka area of western Japan, the National Police Agency said 44,000 police have been mobilized nationwide to check store counters for suspicious products.

All Morinaga products have been removed from the shelves of stores in the Osaka area since the extortionists began their latest series of threats a month ago.

On Oct. 7, a Sunday, the group planted at least 14 boxes of poisoned Morinaga candies, and sent letters to news organizations threatening to put another 30 packages on store shelves over 10 days.

The 10 days have since passed without incident. Police reported that no new poisoned boxes of candy were discovered and there have been no fatalities or injuries.

The group, which takes its name from a popular mystery novel, has demanded that Morinaga pay $400,000 in cash. Morinaga executives said they will not "bow to crime."