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
.