WITNESS TESTIFIES CAMDEN MAYOR TIPPED OFF DEALERS

CAMDEN -- As investigators closed in on the biggest cocaine cartel in
Camden's history, Mayor Milton Milan tipped off reputed drug lords
about raids, a federal witness testified Friday.

In the latest testimony in a drug conspiracy trial of two alleged
kingpins, a government informant again linked Milan to a multimillion
dollar ring that authorities say used violence and murder to control a
lucrative drug trade.

The testimony Friday by Juan Marquez, however, was the first time that
allegations have been made that Milan associated with the accused
dealers after being elected mayor in May 1997. Milan took office in
July 1997.

Milan, 37, a first-term Democrat, has repeatedly denied any
involvement with the drug ring and has not been charged with any
wrongdoing. His attorney denied the latest allegations made in court
Friday.

The allegations implicating Milan are surfacing at the trial of Jose
"J.R." Rivera, the accused financier of the drug organization, and
Luis "Tun Tun" Figueroa, the alleged enforcer.

Law enforcement officials have said the organization was the most
entrenched and significant drug cartel in Camden's history until it
was broken up in 1998.

Marquez, 36, once a prominent drug ring member, agreed to wear a wire
after his arrest and record conversations with Rivera and other
alleged drug dealers between 1996 and 1998. He has spent three days on
the witness stand.

In one conversation with Marquez on July 3, 1997, Rivera explained why
another alleged drug dealer, Saul Febo, fled the area. Federal
authorities toppled the organization seven months later.

"Man, he ran cause he had a connection inside, told him what's up,
that's why," Rivera said on the tape. "Told him that they were going
to lock him up."

Asked by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Smith who was the connection
who gave that information to Febo, Marquez said from the witness stand
Friday: "Milton Milan."

Milan's attorney, Carlos Martir, noted that Marquez identified Milan
as the "snitch" who provided the information to Febo only when
questioned in court Friday. Milan's name is not mentioned on tape in
connection with that incident, he said.

"The bottom line is a person wearing a wire is orchestrating
conversations," said Martir, who also represents Figueroa. "He gives
what the government wants to hear. These conversations don't say what
he has testified to."

In another conversation in June 1997, Marquez -- referring to Milan --
said, "Milton, picked an area to hit." Marquez said the comment was a
reference to a pending raid on a drug set.

"We already know where he gonna hit at," Rivera replied.

Authorities said the ring had connections in the police department
that allowed it to keep a step ahead of investigators. Police officers
were known to frequent Rivera's gym in Camden and escort him to the
bank to make large deposits.

In another recording made by Marquez on June 4, 1997, Camden Police
Officer Michael Hearns is heard giving advice to Rivera against
cooperating with a narcotics probe. Hearns said he had inside
information from an investigator identified only as "Cherry."

At the time, Rivera was worried because another alleged dealer,
Kenneth Waller, had just been arrested. Police seized a boat from
Waller's home that was registered in Rivera's name.

"Don't do nothing," Hearns told Rivera. "Don't approach them at
all."

Hearns, reached at the police department Friday, declined comment. No
law enforcement officer has been charged in connection with the
allegations made at the trial, but prosecutors are
investigating.

In another secretly recorded conversation also played in court Friday,
Marquez said Milan -- prior to becoming mayor -- begged Rivera to loan
him $25,000 to land a city housing contract. At the time, Milan was a
construction contractor.

"In three months I made like, $15,000. That's good," Rivera
said.

Smith asked Marquez: "who did he make that $15,000 from?"

"Milton Milan. That's what he gave him," Marquez said.

Two convicted drug dealers have testified at the trial that some of
the drug ring's cocaine was sold to Milan in 1993. Milan angrily
denied those allegations.

Rivera and Figueroa are the only two among 14 defendants in the case
to stand trial; the others have pleaded guilty. Both face life in
prison if convicted.

Testimony in the trial resumes Monday.