12 ARRAIGNED IN FEDERAL COURT ON COCAINE CHARGES

Albany - Twelve people have been arraigned in federal court over
the past two days in what authorities say is a crackdown on a
widespread cocaine distribution network operating in the Capital Region.

The men and women were charged Tuesday and Wednesday before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Ralph W. Smith Jr. with possession and conspiracy to
distribute cocaine. All have been released on personal recognizance
bonds, according to statements made in court.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara D. Cottrell said more arrests are
expected but declined to elaborate on the scope of the suspected ring
for fear of jeopardizing the ongoing investigation and pending
arrests. Court documents in the case were sealed.

Of the twelve arrested, one name became available Wednesday
evening.

Theresa Panza was arraigned at 5:30 p.m. in front of Smith and charged
with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. If found guilty, she faces a
maximum prison sentence of 10 to 20 years in a federal penitentiary, a
fine of $4 million and supervised release of five years. If Panza has
a prior drug felony conviction, the penalty would double, Cottrell
said in court.

Panza, whose age and address were not made public and who stated she
was unemployed, was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

The investigation is headed by the State Police's Community Narcotics
Enforcement Team and the Drug Enforcement Administration.