FEDS - EX-PLAYBOY MODEL TOOK PART IN COCAINE DEAL

A former Playboy playmate is in big trouble.

Maria Luisa Gil, 23, of Miami, who appeared in her birthday suit in the
magazine's June 1998 issue, is being held at the Miami Federal Detention
Center, accused of taking part in her husband's cocaine trafficking
business, according to a federal affidavit.

Her husband, Pedro Pajes, 45, is charged along with his wife with trying to
buy 11 kilograms of cocaine from an undercover federal agent. The asking
price was $19,000 per kilo, according to the affidavit signed by DEA
special agent Vance Durham. Both were arrested Sunday.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, Gil and her husband will appear in U.S. District Court
in Miami for a pretrial hearing in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge John J.
O'Sullivan, said Aloyma Sanchez, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office.

Gil already caused a stir in court earlier this week when her other
occupation came to light when a judge asked for her employment. Gil said
she was employed by Playboy Enterprises.

The Cuban-born Gil's figure can be seen on several websites featuring
former Playboy models.

Federal authorities said Gil helped her husband make the drug purchase. In
the sting that snared them, Pajes met with agents at several local
restaurants to work out the terms of the drug deal. After he received the
drugs, he said his wife, whom he referred to as Gil, would pay the
undercover agent at another location, the affidavit said.

Both Pajes and Gil are charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Gil's federal public defender, Krista Halla, did not return a telephone
call Tuesday. Pajes' private attorney, Curt Obront, said he could not
comment on the ongoing case.

Records show Gil and Pajes have no criminal record in Florida. The two
married last year.

Herald researcher Elisabeth Donovan contributed to this report.