Witness in Slaying of Agent Gets Immunity

The Justice Department has granted immunity to Ruben Zuno Arce, a Mexican citizen, who will be brought before a grand jury in Los Angeles Thursday to be questioned on events relating to the February, 1985, slaying of U.S. drug agent Enrique Camarena in Mexico.

Zuno Arce, 59, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service authorities in San Antonio on Aug. 9. He was brought here Aug. 14 on a warrant describing him as a “material witness” in the forthcoming trial of Juan Jose Bernabe Ramirez, a former Mexican policeman who is accused of murder, conspiracy and other charges in connection with Camarena’s slaying.

Last Friday, U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie ordered Zuno Arce held without bail, saying he represented a flight risk because he had no ties to Los Angeles and was “politically connected,” in Mexico, referring to the fact that he is the brother-in-law of former Mexican President Luis Echeverria. An affidavit filed by a DEA agent also said Zuno Arce is a narcotics trafficker in the Guadalajara area, a charge his wife denied in an affidavit.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office said Zuno Arce had been given “use immunity,” meaning that nothing he says in front of the grand jury can be used against him.