COLOMBIA POLICE: DRUG RING BROKEN

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Colombia's secret police said Wednesday it
broke up a cocaine- and weapons-smuggling ring linked to right-wing
paramilitaries, but had not arrested any member of the outlawed
militia group.

The announcement coincided with the departure of President Andres
Pastrana for Washington, where he faces criticism that his government
is not doing enough to combat the paramilitary force.

Col. German Jaramillo, director of the secret police, told reporters
that 14 people were arrested, including Luis Alberto Castillo, a
former mayor of San Bernardo village, located on an island in the
Caribbean off Colombia's northwest coast.

None of the 14 belonged to the United Self-Defense Forces of
Colombia, Jaramillo said, but he insisted the ring had ``tight
links'' with the paramilitary group, which has been waging war
against leftist rebels.

Jaramillo said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration provided
technical assistance in the operation. He claimed the ring smuggled
cocaine to Central America in boats and returned with rifles for the
paramilitary group.

No DEA officials were present at the news conference. A U.S.
official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he was not aware
of the operation.

Colombia is the world's main supplier of cocaine, exporting an
estimated 500 tons a year.