DATE=9/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - MEXICO DRUGS (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-254220
BYLINE=GEORGE MEEK
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// EDS: updates long version of CR 2-254215
with new info in penultimate graph ///
INTRO: The United States has arrested 93 people in a
crackdown on what U.S. officials call one of Mexico's
largest drug cartels. V-O-A's George Meek has
details.
TEXT: Officials in Washington say a two-year
investigation dubbed Operation Impunity culminated
with the seizure of 20-million dollars in cash, seven-
million dollars in other assets, six tons of cocaine
and two tons of marijuana.
Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Jim Craig
says three of the 93 persons arrested were leaders
known as "cell heads."
/// FIRST CRAIG ACT ///
Jesse Quintanilla was arrested in Chicago.
Arturo Arredondo was arrested in McAllen
(Texas). Jorge Ontiveros Rodriguez was arrested
in San Diego. They all are in custody, and they
are the three major cell-heads for the United
States.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Craig says Mr. Ontiveros Rodriguez is a Cuban-
American and the other two are U-S citizens of Mexican
descent.
The targeted cartel was run by Amado Carrillo Fuentes,
until his death following plastic surgery two years
ago.
/// REST OPTIONAL FOR LONG VERSION ///
Attorney General Janet Reno says Operation Impunity
substantially hindered the cartel's ability to move
cocaine and other drugs around the United States.
But spokesman Craig of the D-E-A says this does not
mean the cartel has been definitively crushed.
/// SECOND CRAIG ACT ///
The Carrillo Fuentes organization -- even after
his death in 1997 -is still alive and well, but
somewhat splintered. To say we have taken out
the whole cartel, no. But we have taken out a
very important organization within the cartel
that transported tons of cocaine in the United
States.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Craig says the United States has asked Mexico to
extradite the successor to Carrillo Fuentes -- Roberto
Salinas Doria, who is in custody. Acting on a request
from the United States, on Wednesday Mexico arrested
another alleged leader of the group, Jaime Augilar
Gastelum, in the border city of Reynosa.
Last year President Clinton expressed regret for not
consulting with Mexican authorities before luring
alleged Mexican drug-money launderers to the United
States, where they were arrested in another
investigation called Operation Casablanca. (Signed)
NEB/GM/TVM/WTW
22-Sep-1999 17:52 PM EDT (22-Sep-1999 2152 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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