WHITE HOUSE ISSUES A BLACKLIST OF TOP SUSPECTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS

WASHINGTON, June 1 -- The White House today put 12 suspected international
drug kingpins on a new government blacklist intended to financially isolate
traffickers and their associates.

The list contained no surprises. Most, if not all, of the suspects were
already under indictment.

The White House submitted the list to Congress late today, meeting a June 1
deadline set in the Foreign Drug Kingpin Designation Act, which was enacted
last year.

Those named -- and their business associates -- will have their assets in
the United States frozen, and Americans will be barred from doing business
with them.

It was not clear whether any of those named hold assets in the United
States. But even if they do not, the list is still an important step, said
Senator Paul Coverdell, a Georgia Republican who sponsored the law.

"If this tool didn't exist, even if you were under indictment you could do
business with a bank," he said. "But you cannot now."

Those named in the list were:

Ramon and Benjamin Arrellano Felix, brothers based in Tijuana, who are said
to be leaders of one of the most violent drug-trafficking groups in Mexico.

Jose de Jesus and Luis Ignacio Amezcua, also brothers, Mexican traffickers
in methamphetamines.

Rafael Caro Quintero, who has been jailed by Mexican authorities and
reputedly operated out of the Sonora area.

Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, a leader in Mexico's Juarez drug operation and
the brother of the late Amado Carrillo Fuentes, at the time of his death in
1997 one of Mexico's most powerful drug lords.

Chang Chi-Fu, known as Khun Sa, a Burmese warlord.

Wei Hsueh-Kang, a Chinese national operating in Southeast Asia.

Noel Timothy Heath and Glenroy Vingrove Matthews of St. Kitts-Nevis.

Abeni and Oluwole Ogungbuyi of Nigeria.