2 COLO DEPUTIES FACE DRUG CHARGES

DENVER, March 29 (UPI) - The FBI says Ouray (u-RAY') County
Undersheriff John Radcliff, his wife, the sheriff's two daughters and
a deputy sheriff are among 19 people charged with methamphetamine
trafficking in western Colorado.

Radcliff and deputy Leroy Todd are accused of using their positions to
protect the operation, and that three other suspects threatened
witnesses called before a federal grand jury probing the case.

The undersheriff's wife, 29-year-old Lisa Radcliff, was charged with
conspiracy to distribute. Lisa Wakefield Blansett and Laura Wakefield
Huddleston, the sheriff's daughters, were also charged with conspiracy.

Radcliff and Todd are also charged with using and carrying firearms
while commiting a crime.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation chief Carl Whiteside says, ``I don't
think any law enforcement agency is immune from that type of corruption.

Peter Mang of the CBI tells UPI the charges follow a three-year
federal and state probe of an operation that imported methamphetamine
from California and distributed it in western Colorado.

Three of the suspects are also accused of threatening witnesses called
before a federal grand jury probing the case in an attempt to
influence their testimony.

Law officers say the indictments are based on alleged crimes related
to the operation of the distribution ring over a three-year period.
Three of the suspects are from California.

Ouray County is about 250 miles southwest of Denver.