Colombia-Cali Cartel
8-19-1995
^By ANDREW SELSKY=
^Associated Press Writer=
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ When they displayed their captive in March, police called him a Cali drug cartel kingpin. His sentence, as reported in a TV newscast Saturday: Less than five years in prison.
Jorge Rodriguez Orejuela, linked to a scandal that threatens to topple President Ernesto Samper, was convicted of illegal weapons possession and sentenced to four years and seven months' imprisonment, NTC television news said.
When Rodriguez was captured March 2, then-Defense Minister Fernando Botero hailed the arrest as "an important advance for Colombia and the world in the fight against drug trafficking." But skeptical U.S. drug agents said Rodriguez was only a mid-level Cali cartel lieutenant.
Under American pressure, Colombian security forces went on to arrest six alleged Cali cartel leaders. Two of them, Gilberto and Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela, are Jorge's brothers and are believed to have been the two most powerful leaders of the Cali cartel, which controls the world's cocaine market.
Prosecutors were unable to win a conviction of Jorge Rodriguez on drug charges because of lack of evidence, NTC said. Judicial offices were closed for the weekend, and officials could not be reached for further comment.
U.S. officials have said they hope the six captured Cali cartel leaders will receive stiff sentences. The Drug Enforcement Administration in Washington had no immediate comment on Rodriguez's sentencing.
Botero, who resigned as defense minister Aug. 2, is under arrest while prosecutors investigate allegations that, as director of Samper's 1994 election campaign, he obtained at least $6.1 million from the Cali cartel.
Samper, who with Botero has denied knowing of any Cali cartel campaign contributions, is being investigated by a congressional committee.
The most damning information to emerge thus far has been in sworn statements by Samper campaign treasurer Santiago Medina that Botero ordered him to obtain Cali cartel money and that Samper approved the move.
Medina was arrested last month.
^By ANDREW SELSKY=
^Associated Press Writer=
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ When they displayed their captive in March, police called him a Cali drug cartel kingpin. His sentence, as reported in a TV newscast Saturday: Less than five years in prison.
Jorge Rodriguez Orejuela, linked to a scandal that threatens to topple President Ernesto Samper, was convicted of illegal weapons possession and sentenced to four years and seven months' imprisonment, NTC television news said.
When Rodriguez was captured March 2, then-Defense Minister Fernando Botero hailed the arrest as "an important advance for Colombia and the world in the fight against drug trafficking." But skeptical U.S. drug agents said Rodriguez was only a mid-level Cali cartel lieutenant.
Under American pressure, Colombian security forces went on to arrest six alleged Cali cartel leaders. Two of them, Gilberto and Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela, are Jorge's brothers and are believed to have been the two most powerful leaders of the Cali cartel, which controls the world's cocaine market.
Prosecutors were unable to win a conviction of Jorge Rodriguez on drug charges because of lack of evidence, NTC said. Judicial offices were closed for the weekend, and officials could not be reached for further comment.
U.S. officials have said they hope the six captured Cali cartel leaders will receive stiff sentences. The Drug Enforcement Administration in Washington had no immediate comment on Rodriguez's sentencing.
Botero, who resigned as defense minister Aug. 2, is under arrest while prosecutors investigate allegations that, as director of Samper's 1994 election campaign, he obtained at least $6.1 million from the Cali cartel.
Samper, who with Botero has denied knowing of any Cali cartel campaign contributions, is being investigated by a congressional committee.
The most damning information to emerge thus far has been in sworn statements by Samper campaign treasurer Santiago Medina that Botero ordered him to obtain Cali cartel money and that Samper approved the move.
Medina was arrested last month.
Comments
Post a Comment