Contra-Drugs Link Called ‘Fantasy’

Federal prosecutors accused defense lawyers of creating a “sideshow” with allegations that a major reputed drug trafficker has not been brought to trial in the United States because of his support for the Nicaraguan Contras.

“This argument is completely irresponsible and constitutes nothing more than a leap into fantasy,” the government said Tuesday in response to assertions that Miguel Felix-Gallardo, a reputed marijuana trafficker, should have been indicted for the 1985 murder of U.S. drug agent Enrique Camarena.

Three men are facing trial in Los Angeles on charges that they either participated in the murder or helped Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro-Quintero, whom the government accuses of masterminding the killing, flee prosecution.

Defense lawyers last week said they have evidence that Felix-Gallardo has been implicated in the murder but may not have been charged because of his support for the Nicaraguan rebels.

In a motion filed with U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie, defense lawyers said Felix-Gallardo’s pilot, Werner Lotz, has admitted that Felix-Gallardo advanced him between $150,000 and $170,000 to give to the Contras and was himself “a strong supporter” of the rebels.

“Even if Miguel Felix-Gallardo actually contributed drug profits to the Contras (an assertion that certainly has not been established), that would not have any relevance to the issues presented in this case,” Assistant U.S. Atty. Roel Campos said in his response papers, calling the defense’s motion “one of the most outrageous that has been filed in a criminal proceeding in recent years.”

Campos said the government has acknowledged that there may have been others involved in the torture murder plot, including Felix-Gallardo, but evidence against him “is not necessarily sufficient for prosecution.”

“If (the defense) has information or evidence that would support a prosecution of Miguel Felix-Gutierrez, the government would certainly welcome receiving it,” Campos said.