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. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake