WIFE OF ANTI-DRUG LEADER CHARGED IN COCAINE RING

New York - The wife of the head of U.S. anti-drug operations in
Colombia has been accused of shipping cocaine from Bogota to New York
as part of a small narcotics ring.

Laurie Anne Hiett, 36, who has denied the allegations, surrendered
Thuesday in New York on drug conspiracy charges. She was later
released on $150,000 (U.S.) bail.

The army insists her husband Col. James Hiett was unaware of the
alleged crimes.

In May, U.S. Customs agents in Miami intercepted a package conatining
1.2 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimate [sic] $30,000, papers filed
in court state.

Authorities say the package was marked with Hiett's return address and
was shipped from the U.S. Embassy in Bogota to a New York address.