CIA Link to Drug Ring Not Found, Reno Says
Atty. Gen. Janet Reno says a preliminary inquiry by the Department of Justice does not substantiate published allegations that the CIA acted in support of a Northern California drug ring that smuggled cocaine from Latin America to South-Central Los Angeles.
Last month, the San Jose Mercury News published a series of articles saying the CIA blocked efforts by other agencies to stem the drug ring in the mid-1980s. The newspaper said the CIA was acting in support of right-wing Nicaraguan contras, who were financing and operating the drug ring to raise money for weapons.
The CIA has agreed to conduct its own investigation of the allegations while casting skepticism on them.
Reno’s action came in response to requests for an investigation by several members of Congress.
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