Mexican drug lord 'had account in US'

FROM DAVID ADAMS IN MIAMI

INVESTIGATIONS into one of Mexico's most notorious
drug traffickers have turned up evidence that he laundered
millions of dollars through a prestigious New York bank,
according to officials.

Mexico announced at the weekend that it had requested the
freezing of an account at Citibank in New York containing
$26 million (#16 million) "linked to the illicit activities of the
criminal organisation known as the Juarez Cartel".

The cartel's boss, Amado Carillo Fuentes, also known as the
"Lord of the Flies" for his use of jet aircraft to carry tonnes of
cocaine, died in July while undergoing cosmetic surgery in
Mexico City to change his appearance.

The discovery of the alleged account provides further
evidence that the record of the US in the war on drugs,
especially when it comes to laundering dirty money, is not as
exemplary as some American officials like to think.

It also provides welcome ammunition for Mexican officials
who have in recent months come under bombardment from
US politicians over their country's poor performance in the
drug war.

Citibank has made no comment. The New York account
was held in the name of a wealthy Chilean businessman.