Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2003
Source: St. Petersburg Times (FL)
Copyright: 2003 St. Petersburg Times
Contact:  http://www.sptimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Cali+cartel

IMPRISONED BROTHERS RAN DRUGS, FEDS SAY

MIAMI - Two brothers who helped found the Cali cartel resumed running
their billion-dollar drug operation from inside their Colombian prison
cells, federal authorities said Monday in announcing their
indictments.

The 12-year investigation into the drug trafficking and money-
laundering operations of Miguel Rodriguez-Orejuela and Gilberto
Rodriguez-Orejuela was one of the largest in U.S. history, U.S.
Attorney Marcos Jimenez said. The brothers and nine associates were
named in federal indictments that were unsealed Monday.

The brothers have been incarcerated for their leadership of the Cali
cartel since the summer of 1995, after a far-reaching investigation by
U.S. and Colombian officials.

The indictment alleges that from 1990 until July 2002 the defendants
conspired to import cocaine into the United States and conspired to
possess with intent to distribute cocaine, importing the drugs hidden
in concrete posts, frozen vegetables, lumber, ceramic tiles, coffee
and chlorine cylinders.

The indictments were the latest development in a drug investigation
called "Operation Cornerstone," which has led to the seizure of nearly
55 tons of cocaine and $15-million in U.S. currency, officials said.
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