Witness Denies Drug Ties to Noriega, Co-Defendants

A defense witness on Thursday denied any involvement in key guns-for-drugs planning meetings with former Panama dictator Manuel A. Noriega and his co-defendants, rebutting a government witness’ testimony.

Orlando Villarreal Sr. had been listed as a prosecution witness in the trial of William Saldarriaga and Brian Davidow, but he took the stand for the defense.

The government’s star witness, Amet Paredes, placed Villarreal at a series of meetings in Panama City in which the March, 1986, voyage of the drug yacht Krill was planned. Noriega allegedly participated by speaker phone.

“I was never, ever in any meeting with anyone to discuss weapons, guns or drug deals to do with the Krill,” Villarreal testified. He also said he had no dealings with the ousted Panamanian leader.

The Krill was seized by Colombian police at an island, and 700 pounds of drugs were found in hidden compartments.

Villarreal said he had no dealings with Noriega after his family lost a bitter power struggle in August, 1983, hurting their business.

Paredes, the only other participant in the meetings presented by prosecutors, testified that Villarreal, who operated a gun store, was to provide permits for 1,000 M-16 rifles to be shipped to Colombia.

But Villarreal said Thursday that he had nothing to do with any permits, and had not even heard about them at the time.

Davidow’s defense attorney, Richard Sharpstein, emphasized that unlike Paredes, who was given immunity for his testimony, Villarreal was promised nothing. Villarreal has not been charged.

The government agreed Thursday that Paredes is the only witness to directly link Davidow and Saldarriaga to the meetings. Saldarriaga, however, allegedly has confessed his participation in the Krill deal to cellmates.

The prosecution rested its case earlier Thursday after introducing a series of exhibits and putting Saldarriaga’s arresting officer on the stand. The government presented 20 witnesses in the trial, which began Feb. 25. The case is expected to go to the jury Monday.

Noriega faces trial in June on the Krill incident and other charges.