CUBAN EXILE CHARGED IN DRUG CASE

MIAMI (AP) A Cuban exile already charged with plotting to kill Fidel
Castro was arrested on new charges of cocaine smuggling.

Juan Bautista Marquez was arrested last week on a seven-count indictment
accusing him of importing 803 pounds of cocaine, conspiracy to import up to
4,400 pounds of cocaine and money laundering, Drug Enforcement
Administration spokeswoman Pam Brown said Monday.

Marquez, 61, and six other exiles were charged with plotting to kill the
Cuban president after the U.S. Coast Guard in Puerto Rico found two sniper
rifles hidden in a Miami-registered yacht in October 1997.

The drug arrest is not linked to this case, but DEA wiretaps that led to
the drug charges against Marquez also intercepted his talks with
Castro-plot defendants, The Miami Herald quoted unidentified officials as
saying.

Also arrested by the DEA-led Southeast Florida Regional Task Force were
Marquez's son, Juan Alberto, 26; Robert A. Alfaro, 27; Sergio R. Sigler;
and Arturo L. Abascal, all from Miami-Dade County. Six others are to be
indicted in the same case later this week.