DRUG-RING MEMBER SENTENCED TO 7 1/2 YEARS
Two Others Face Penalties This Week

(KEY WEST) -- Christopher Monticello, convicted of participating in a
Key West cocaine ring, was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison by a
federal court judge Tuesday.

During a closed hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Moore also
sentenced Monticello to five years of supervised release and fined him
$100. He will surrender to authorities in December.

Monticello, of Big Coppitt Key, was arrested in July 1998 as a result
of "Operation Conch Supply," during which investigators recorded
hundreds of conversations among drug ring members.

Monticello was a leader in the operation, which distributed cocaine in
South Florida, Tampa and Mobile, Ala., according to prosecutors. He
pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Two other targets of the operation will be sentenced this week. Former
Key West Police Officer Frank Monticello, accused of keeping drug
money for his brother, Christopher Monticello, will be sentenced
Friday in Miami. Daniel Blanco, accused of picking up cocaine from
Christopher Monticello while using a county work truck, is to be
sentenced at noon today in Key West.