COLOMBIA TRACKING $500 MILLION IN PAYOFFS FROM CALI CARTEL

* Cali kingpin rats on crippled half-brother

BOGOTA, Colombia- Investigators have tracked down some 37,000 checks worth
more than $500 million paid out by the notorious Cali drug mob to Colombian
politicians, sports stars and journalists, authorities said on Monday.

The checks, issued between 1989 and 1996 -- the golden years of the cartel
once said to be responsible for 80 percent of the world's cocaine supplies
- -- were discovered as part of the on-going "8,000 Process" into drug
corruption in Colombian politics.

Sources at the Chief Prosecutor's Department said the recipients of the
checks would now be investigated and could face prosecution depending on the
nature of their links with the drug gang.

Much of the money was paid into 13,000 separate bank accounts, according to
a statement from the prosecutor's department.

Earlier investigations have shown the Cali cartel paid millions of dollars
in bribes and hush-money and for political favors.

The most infamous incident was a $6 million donation of drug money to
President Ernesto Samper's 1994 election campaign.

In a speech to Congress last Monday, Samper conceded dirty money had flooded
into his campaign but insisted he knew nothing about it.

His campaign manager and treasurer were convicted and jailed in 1995 for
allowing drug money into the election campaign and at least 20 other
politicians have been convicted as part of the 8,000 Process investigation

Copyright A9 1998 Nando.net Copyright A9 1998 Reuters News Service

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett