Pubdate: Mon, 2 Nov 1998
Source: Chicago Tribune (IL)
Section: Sec. 1
Copyright: 1998 Chicago Tribune Company
Contact:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/

CHARGES VOWED AGAINST U.S. AGENTS

CARACAS, VENEZUELA -- Venezuela plans to prosecute U.S. undercover
agents who took part in a drug money laundering sting operation that
led to the indictment of five Venezuelans, the country's ambassador to
the U.S. said in an interview published Sunday.

Operation Casablanca, which resulted in the arrest of more than 100
suspects from several Latin American countries in May, violated
Venezuelan sovereignty, Ambassador Pedro Luis Echeverria told the
newspaper El Nacional.

Echeverria did not say how many U.S. agents would be charged. He said
a note of protest would be sent to Washington soon.

Mexico has said it might seek the extradition of the U.S. agents who
operated in its territory during the investigation.
- ---
Checked-by: Patrick Henry