U.S. GETS DEADLINE IN DRUG CASE

Prosecution Must Respond To Allegations Of Suborned Perjury

A federal judge has given the government 120 days to respond to allegations
that prosecutors suborned perjury from their star witness and hid
exculpatory evidence in the 1996 trial of Gulf Cartel kingpin Juan Garcia
Abrego.

U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein ordered the government to respond by
mid-January to allegations outlined in motions -- including one for a new
trial -- filed last Friday by attorneys for Garcia Abrego, now serving a
life sentence.

His capture on Mexican soil and conviction were hailed as a triumph for the
binational drug effort. He was convicted in Houston in October 1996 on 22
counts of drug trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering and operating a
continuing criminal enterprise.

San Diego attorney Michael Pancer said in court documents that the Mexican
and U.S. governments collaborated to pay $3 million for Garcia Abrego's
capture, then hid the details from the jury.

Pancer has asked Werlein to allow the defense to post its own reward for
information from government employees who may know about the alleged deal
with witness Carlos Resendez Bertolocci, but are afraid to come forward for
fear of losing their jobs. Houston attorney Kent Schaffer said no reward
figure has been set.

Prior to his testimony, Resendez agreed to lie about his role in Garcia
Abrego's capture in exchange for $2 million and other benefits for himself
and his family, according to court documents.

He was one of only two witnesses who gave first-hand testimony about the
day-to-day workings of the Gulf Cartel.

Resendez also testified that he arranged for the drug lord's capture,
although Pancer said Resendez's former mistress actually facilitated Garcia
Abrego's arrest.

Noema Quintanilla was paid $1 million in U.S. currency by the Mexican
government for arranging Garcia Abrego's arrest at a ranch near Monterrey in
mid-January 1996, according to court documents.