CUSTOMS MAN IN COCAINE CHARGE

A Customs inspector has been indicted and arrested for allegedly
accepting a $15,000 bribe to miss finding 15 kilos of cocaine in a
traveler's luggage, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami announced.

The indictment of Edward G. McCandlish III, 28, who inspected baggage
at Miami International Airport, was unsealed in federal court
Wednesday, but he has been a prisoner since early October.

Internal affairs agents followed McCandlish after work one day and
arrested him when he arrived home, defense lawyer Yale Galanter said.

"He is pleading not guilty, and we've been in the process of
vigorously defending him against the charges," the lawyer added.

McCandlish also is accused of giving or selling Ecstasy and Rohypnol
pills, as well as Valium, to undercover agents. The indictment says
those offenses were committed Sept. 20-22.

The principal crime charged to McCandlish is an agreement to take a
$15,000 bribe from a cocaine smuggler who wanted to sneak 15 kilos of
cocaine through the airport Sept. 26.