New Report Links Politicians, Drug Cash

The governor of the Mexican state that borders Arizona has deep ties to reputed drug trafficker Amado Carrillo Fuentes, enabling huge quantities of narcotics to pass freely into the United States, according to a report. Manlio Fabio Beltrones Rivera, governor of Sonora, reportedly took part in meetings at which drug lords paid high-ranking politicians protection money, the New York Times reported, citing U.S. officials and intelligence reports. Beltrones denied the allegations. Also singled out as collaborating with drug traffickers was Jorge Carrillo Olea, governor of Morelos state, south of Mexico City. Meanwhile, the White House disputed a New York Times report that the Clinton administration has decided to recertify Mexico as an ally in the war against illegal drugs despite the recent arrest of the Mexican government’s top anti-drug official on charges he had links to traffickers.