The Region - News from Feb. 20, 1986
Ten foreign nationals were indicted by a Los Angeles federal grand jury on charges of operating a nationwide money-laundering organization. The indictment accused the defendants of converting millions of dollars in cocaine profits for South American narcotics traffickers. The arrest of five of the suspects was announced at a Feb. 10 news conference in Los Angeles during which U.S. Atty. Robert C. Bonner disclosed the seizure of $11.6 million in cash and 255 pounds of cocaine in a five-month undercover operation. The five were Carlos Sarmiento-Arechederra, Roberto del Pino Sousa, Enrique Fernandez, Oswaldo Vera, all Venezuelan nationals, and Luis Morale from Uruguay. The remaining five defendants include Julio Sarmiento-Arechederra, Juan Curi, Carlos D’Imperio, Luis Castano-Ochoa and Carlos Forero.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
