ANOTHER DEALER IDS MILAN CLAIMS CAMDEN MAYOR BOUGHT COKE IN BULK

A second convicted drug dealer implicated Camden Mayor Milton Milan a the
trial yesterday of an accused drug lord, suggesting that Milan bought
cocaine from the cartel.

Milan has angrily denied allegations, made over the past week in federal
court, that he purchased bulk amounts of cocaine in 1993, four years before
becoming mayor.

The mayor's name has surfaced in the drug conspiracy trial of accused
kingpins Jose "J.R." Rivera and Luis "Tun Tun" Figueroa. The two are accused
of running the largest cocaine ring in Camden history.

Meanwhile, in another surprising twist, the name of reputed Philadelphia
organized crime leader Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino came up during testimony
by another drug dealer who said he held contraband for Merlino while the two
were in the same jail.

Angel Torres testified that Milan was one of three people who purchased
parts of two large shipments of cocaine from New York. Torres worked for the
"33rd Street Set," which controlled one of the most lucrative drug markets
in Camden.

Asked by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Smith to name some of the ring's
customers, Torres replied, "Davey, Milton and Tony," adding, "I don't know
their last names."

While awaiting an elevator outside the courtroom after his testimony, Torres
refused to elaborate on his comments, saying, "I ain't got no answers for
that."

However, Milan's attorney, Carlos Martir, said the testimony was a clear
reference to his client. Milan has not been charged in the drug conspiracy
case, but has been targeted by federal authorities in an ongoing corruption
probe in Camden.

"It's all part of the government's attempt to begin the trial of Milton
Milan before he's even accused of a crime," said Martir, who also represents
Figueroa.

Admitted drug dealer Lucas Torres brought up Merlino's name yesterday.

Under questioning by Rivera's attorney, Lucas Torres said he was punished
after he was caught holding contraband for Merlino in the Salem County Jail.
Torres also admitted smoking marijuana he purchased in jail from another
drug dealer serving time there.

Meanwhile, Angel Torres testified he traveled to Manhattan in the summer of
1993 to pick up about 15 kilos to 20 kilos of cocaine and returned about a
month later to get another shipment. The cocaine was brought to Camden,
diluted and sold.