DATE=5/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232438
TITLE=MEXICO / DRUG ARRESTS
BYLINE=CINDY LAVANDEROS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT IS COOPERATING FULLY WITH
A U-S INVESTIGATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL MONEY-LAUNDERING RING
INVOLVING BANKS AND A DRUG CARTEL BASED IN MEXICO -- THE BIGGEST
CASE OF ITS KIND EVER LAUNCHED BY THE UNITED STATES. MORE
DETAILS NOW FROM CINDY LAVANDEROS IN MEXICO CITY.
TEXT: ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL EDUARDO IBARROLA SAYS THE
MEXICAN GOVERNMENT IS READY TO ASSIST THE UNITED STATES IN ITS
MONEY-LAUNDERING INVESTIGATIONS, INVOLVING 12 MEXICAN BANKS AND
THE JUAREZ DRUG CARTEL.
AT A NEWS CONFERENCE LATE MONDAY, MR. IBARROLA SAYS THE PROCESS
INITIATED IN THE UNITED STATES, CALLED OPERATION CASABLANCA,
SHOULD IN NO WAY BE VIEWED AS A JUDGMENT AGAINST THE MEXICAN
BANKING SYSTEM.
/// IBARROLA SPANISH ACT, IN AND UNDER ///
MR. IBARROLA BELIEVES THE UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION COULD LEAD TO
THE ARREST OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CORRUPTED THE FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS IN BOTH COUNTRIES.
ALTHOUGH THE THREE-YEAR INVESTIGATION INVOLVED MEXICAN BANKS, THE
MEXICAN GOVERNMENT WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT IT IN ADVANCE. MR.
IBARROLA SAYS IT WAS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE CASE SECRET, TO
PROTECT THE LIVES OF AGENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE INVESTIGATION.
/// SECOND IBARROLA SPANISH ACT, IN AND UNDER ///
HE ALSO POINTS OUT THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED IN THE UNITED
STATES, AND THE ARRESTS OF THE 22 MEXICAN OFFICIALS AND BANK
EMPLOYEES OCCURRED IN THAT COUNTRY.
THE U-S TREASURY DEPARTMENT INDICATES THIS IS THE FIRST TIME
MEXICAN BANKS AND BANK OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPLICATED IN
LAUNDERING MONEY FOR THE COUNTRY'S POWERFUL DRUG DEALERS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/CH/WTW
18-May-98 11:30 PM EDT (0330 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
