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)
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Source: Voice of America
.