DATE=6/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233359
TITLE=U-S MEXICO DRUGS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=JIM MALONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO IS DEFENDING THE ACTIONS OF
U-S UNDERCOVER AGENTS INVOLVED IN A MONEY-LAUNDERING STING
OPERATION IN MEXICO. MS. RENO SPOKE AT HER WEEKLY NEWS
CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, AND NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE
HAS A REPORT.
TEXT: MS. RENO WAS ASKED ABOUT OPERATION "CASABLANCA", A
THREE-YEAR UNDERCOVER STING OPERATION WHICH TARGETED
MONEY-LAUNDERING RELATED TO DRUG TRAFFICKING IN MEXICO.
MEXICO SAYS IT IS SEEKING THE EXTRADITION OF U-S AGENTS INVOLVED
IN THE STING OPERATION BECAUSE SUCH EFFORTS VIOLATE MEXICAN LAW.
U-S OFFICIALS DESCRIBE THE OPERATION AS ONE OF THE MOST
SUCCESSFUL STINGS THEY HAVE EVER UNDERTAKEN. THEY SAY IT
UNCOVERED A MONEY-LAUNDERING SCHEME INVOLVING EMPLOYEES OF 12
MEXICAN BANKS WHO HANDLED MONEY FOR DRUG ORGANIZATIONS IN MEXICO
AND COLOMBIA.
ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO DEFENDED THE U-S OPERATION AT HER WEEKLY
NEWS CONFERENCE.
/// RENO ACT. ///
THESE AGENTS ENGAGED IN VERY DIFFICULT, VERY DANGEROUS
UNDERCOVER WORK THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT IN TRYING TO
BRING AN EFFECTIVE EFFORT TO BEAR ON MONEY LAUNDERING IN
THIS COUNTRY. AND I THINK WE HAVE GOT TO LOOK AT WHAT
THEY HAVE DONE AND FIGURE HOW BOTH NATIONS, WORKING
TOGETHER, CAN MOVE FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.
/// END ACT. ///
MS. RENO SAYS OFFICIALS FROM HER OFFICE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH
MEXICAN AUTHORITIES CONCERNING THE ISSUE. SHE SAYS SHE IS
HOPEFUL THAT, WHAT SHE DESCRIBES AS, A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP
WITH MEXICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WILL NOT BE DAMAGED BY THE
CONTROVERSY OVER OPERATION CASABLANCA.
/// RENO ACT. ///
LOOK, HOW WE CAN WE WORK TOGETHER? HOW CAN WE ENSURE
FULL AND ACCURATE COMMUNICATION WHILE AT THE SAME TIME,
PROTECTING AGENTS WHO ARE ENGAGED IN DANGEROUS
UNDERCOVER WORK? AND THESE ARE THE EFFORTS THAT ONE
ALWAYS HAS TO ENGAGE IN WHEN THEY ARE DEALING WITH A
COMPLICATED UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION AND WE WILL
CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (OF MEXICO) BECAUSE I THINK HE HAS
DONE A VERY GOOD JOB.
/// END ACT. ///
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DECLINED TO ANSWER DIRECTLY WHETHER SHE HAD
DECIDED ON MEXICO'S REQUEST FOR THE EXTRADITION OF U-S AGENTS
INVOLVED IN THE STING OPERATION. SHE SAYS SUCH QUESTIONS ARE
PREMATURE. (SIGNED)
NEB/JBM/RAE
04-Jun-98 1:20 PM EDT (1720 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
NEWSLETTER
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|