Panama Drug Ring Broken, U.S. Says
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A major Panamanian drug network that used Los Angeles International Airport to ship cocaine into the United States was broken up by federal agents who arrested 26 of 32 people indicted on drug charges last week, U.S. Atty. Jay Stephens announced Tuesday.
The drug ring used commercial flights and military transports in both Los Angeles and New York City airports to ship up to 50 kilograms of cocaine a month to the Washington metropolitan area.
The smuggling network used at least two U.S. military personnel as couriers and funneled drugs also to Colorado Springs, Colo., and Killeen, Tex., Stephens told a news conference.
He said nearly two dozen citizens of Panama were among those arrested, but that it would be “speculation” to link the network to Panama’s leader, Gen. Manuel Noriega, who already faces two federal drug-trafficking indictments.
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