14 October 1999


 
Text: McCaffrey Praises "Superb" U.S.-Colombia Anti-Drug Cooperation
 
("Operation Millenium" culminates in 30 arrests in Colombia)  (430)

Following the success of the joint U.S.-Colombian anti-drug
investigation called "Operation Millenium," White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Barry McCaffrey is
calling for additional cooperation in the fight against illegal drug
trafficking.

"Operation Millenium" culminated in the arrests of more than 30
individuals indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering
offenses.

"Today's arrests are another step and we must persist," McCaffrey said
in an October 13 statement. "Historically, when major traffickers are
arrested, others immediately try to take their place -- we can and
must reverse this trend. We must work hard with the entire
international community to assure that the power of international drug
trafficking organizations is broken."
  
Following is the text of the ONDCP release:

(begin text)

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 13, 1999

WHITE HOUSE DRUG POLICY DIRECTOR MCCAFFREY PRAISES
SUBERB U.S.-COLOMBIAN DRUG ARREST COOPERATION
Confirms Colombian "Drug Emergency"

Washington, D.C. -- White House Drug Policy Director Barry R.
McCaffrey today praised Operation Millennium, a year-long,
international investigation that targeted drug traffickers and money
laundering operations in Bogota, Medellin and Cali, Colombia. The
investigation culminated in the arrest of over 30 key drug
traffickers. Among those arrested were Alejandro Bernal Madrigal,
a/k/a "Juvenal," who is believed by U.S. and international law
enforcement officers to be one of the most prolific international drag
traffickers and money launderers operating.

Director McCaffrey stated that the arrests "confirm the drug emergency
in Colombia today -- the Juvenal organization alone was responsible
for bringing into the U.S. 20-30 metric tons of cocaine monthly. Coca
cultivation in that nation has doubled in three years, and 80% of the
cocaine reaching the U.S. originates from or transits through Colombia
-- as well as over half the heroin. Today's arrests are another step
and we must persist. Historically, when major traffickers are
arrested, others immediately try to take their place -- we can and
must reverse this trend. We must work hard with the entire
international community to assure that the power of international drug
trafficking organizations is broken. This operation is an outstanding
example of the positive results of cooperation between international
and U.S. inter-agency law enforcement organizations."

This unprecedented operation was conducted jointly by the Drug
Enforcement Administration, the Colombian National Police, the Fiscal
General of the Republic of Colombia, the U.S. Attorney's Office in
Miami, and the Justice Department's Criminal Division.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State)