ISRAELI GETS LONG TERM IN DRUG CASE

MIAMI -- A former Israeli jet-setter convicted of disguising $43 million in
Colombian drug proceeds as profits from a family jewelry business was
sentenced to more than 19 years in prison.

Eli Tisona, 56, was found guilty in July of all 146 federal counts against
him in one of the nation's biggest drug laundering trials. Charges included
money laundering, filing false bank statements and making illegal overseas
wire transfers. Tisona, who owned a fish farm in the Colombian drug capital
of Cali, was considered one of Israel's biggest mobsters.

Tisona was sentenced to 19 years and seven months, according to a release
issued Friday by U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Scott's office. The release did not
specify when the sentencing took place.

Ex-U.S. Prosecutor Gets Seven Years

MIAMI -- A former Justice Department attorney was sentenced Friday to more
than seven years in prison for laundering drug money for a Colombian cocaine
kingpin.

Michael Abbell, who will remain free pending appeal, was convicted of
transferring money from Cali cartel leader Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela to
jailed cartel members and their families to ensure their loyalty and silence.

Abbell, 58, headed Justice's effort to extradite Colombian drug smugglers
before becoming their attorney more than a dozen years ago. The now-defunct
cartel made about $40 million a month shipping cocaine into the United
States from 1983 to 1991.

Abbell and William Moran, a lawyer, were convicted in July of conspiracy to
commit racketeering and laundering drug money. U.S. District Judge William
Hoeveler threw out the racketeering convictions last month.