[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1191-E1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INTRODUCTION OF DRUG KINGPINS BANKRUPTCY ACT OF 1999
______
HON. BILL McCOLLUM
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 9, 1999
Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I am today introducing the ``Drug
Kingpins Bankruptcy Act of 1999,'' which is intended to extend the
reach of United States sanctions to the world's most significant narco-
trafficking organizations. I am especially pleased to be joined in this
important initiative by Representatives Rangel, Goss, Gilman, and Mica;
companion legislation was introduced recently by Senators Coverdell and
Feinstein.
The legal precedent for this legislation was the successful
application of sanctions in 1995 and 1996 against the Cali Cartel
narco-trafficking organization and its key leaders. Executive Order
12978, issued by the Clinton Administration in October 1995, had the
effect of dismantling and defunding numerous business entities tied to
the Cali Cartel. Coordinated law enforcement efforts by the U.S. and
Colombian Governments in support of these sanctions put the Cali Cartel
kingpins out of business.
Unlike earlier and more limited sanctions initiatives, the ``Drug
Kingpins Bankruptcy Act of 1999'' is global in scope and specifically
focuses on the major cocaine, heroin, and amphetamine narco-trafficking
groups based in Mexico, Colombia, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and
Southwest Asia. If enacted, this legislation will encourage U.S. law
enforcement
[[Page E1192]]
and intelligence agencies to better coordinate their efforts against
the leaders of the world's most dangerous multinational criminal
organizations. This initiative will assist U.S. Government efforts to
identify the assets, financial networks, and business associates of
major narcotics trafficking groups. If effectively implemented, this
strategy will disrupt thee criminal organizations and bankrupt their
leadership.
This ``Drug Kingpins Bankruptcy Act of 1999'' is intended to
supplement--not to replace--the United States' policy of annual
certification of countries based on their performance in combating
narcotics trafficking. This bill will properly focus our Government's
efforts against the specific individuals most responsible for
trafficking in illegal narcotics by attacking their sources of income
and undermining their efforts to launder the profits generated by drug-
trafficking into legitimate business activities.
The bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury--in consultation with
the Attorney General, the Director of Central Intelligence, the
Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of State--to prepare and submit
a list of the world's most significant narcotics traffickers on January
1st of each year. The Director of the Office of National Drug Control
Policy shall review this list for submission to the President by
February 1st of each year. The President then shall formally designate
these major narco-traffickers on March 1st of each year as constituting
an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign
policy and the economy of the United States. Individuals and entities
linked to major narcotics trafficking groups may be added to the list
by the President at any time during the year.
The effect of this legislation will be to block the assets of any
specially designated drug trafficker that come within the control of
United States law enforcement authorities. Second, it will block all
assets of any other individuals who materially assist, provide
financial or technical support, or offer goods and services to such
specially designated narcotics traffickers. Third, it will block the
assets of any persons, who are determined by the United States
Government as controlled by or acting on behalf of specially designated
narcotics traffickers. Fourth, designation on this list will result in
the denial of visas and inadmissibility of specially designated
narcotics traffickers, their immediate families, and their business
associates.
The bottom line objective of these provisions is to bankrupt and
disrupt the major narcotics trafficking organizations. The targets of
this bill are not only the drug kingpins, but those involved in money
laundering, in acquiring chemical precursors to manufacture narcotics,
in manufacturing the drugs, in transporting the drugs from the drug
source countries to the United States, and in managing the assets of
these criminal enterprises.
The ``Drug Kingpins Bankruptcy Act of 1999'' establishes a precedent
for the future content and scope of the ``Global Drug Kingpins'' list
by specifically identifying the first group of 12 named individuals
from Mexico, Burma, Thailand, Colombia, and Haiti. This ``Dirty Dozen''
includes many of the world's most significant narco-traffickers, such
as Khun Sa of Burma, Ramon Arrellano Felix of the Tijuana Cartel,
Vicente Carrillo Fuentes of the Juarez Cartel, and Wei Hsueh-Kang of
the United Wa State Army. Virtually all of these individuals are
billion-dollar criminals with global assets and organizations that
threaten the security and freedom of all Americans.
The first ``Global Drug Kingpins'' list has been developed with the
close cooperation of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. I am especially pleased to report that
one of the kingpins originally identified by the DEA and the FBI for
inclusion in this list was extradited to the United States by the
Mexican government on June 1, 1999; as a result of this extradition, we
have now filled this vacancy with a major money launderer from the
Eastern Caribbean, who has been sought for extradition on numerous U.S.
indictments.
I look forward to quick passage of this important crime-fighting
legislation and hope that the Clinton Administration would implement
this initiative on its own.
WEI HSUEH-KANG
@ PRASIT CHIWINITPARYA
@ CHARNCHAI CHIWINNITIPANYA
DOB: 06/29/52.
Criminal Organization: Commander of the United Wa State
Army (UWSA), Southern Military Region. The UWSA is considered
the largest scale narcotics processing and trafficking
organization in Southeast Asia and as such, poses the
greatest threat to Thailand, the U.S. and the international
community.
U.S. Pending Criminal Charges: August 30, 1993, Eastern
District of New York, Conspiracy to Import Heroin into the
United States.
Wei Hsueh-Kang had been sentenced to death (in absentia) by
the Royal Thai Government for his involvement in a 1,496
pound heroin shipment seized off the coast of Thailand in
1987. This sentence has since been reduced to life in prison.
Status: Thai fugitive. Currently residing in Burma.
CHANG CHI-FU
@ KHUN SA
DOB: 02/17/33 (ALT: 02/12/32).
Criminal Organization: Former Head of the Shan United Army
@ Mong Thai Army.
U.S. Pending Criminal Charges: December 20, 1989, Eastern
District of New York:
1. Conspiracy to Import Heroin into the United States.
2. Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE).
3. Distribution of Heroin in Both Burma and Thailand.
4. Importation of Heroin into the United States.
5. Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute &
Distribution of Heroin.
6. Attempted Distribution of Heroin in Thailand.
7. Attempted Importation of Heroin into the United States.
Status: U.S. Fugitive. Residing in Burma under the
protection of the Burmese Government.
JOSE DE JESUS AMEZCUA-CONTRERAS (AKA JESUS AMEZCUA-CONTRERAS)
DOB: 07/13/63 (alt 07/31/64), (alt 07/31/65).
Criminal Organization: Amezcua-Contreras Organization.
U.S. Pending Criminal Charges:
February 11, 1993, Southern District of California:
(1.) Conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to
distribute.
(2.) Attempted possession of cocaine with intent to
distribute.
June 18, 1998, Southern District of California:
(1.) Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise to
manufacture and distribute methamphetamine.
(2.) Conspiracy to possess ephedrine.
Status: U.S. fugitive. Arrested June 1998 in Mexico.
Incarcerated in Mexico. Provisional Arrest Warrant request--
for purpose of extradition. Extradition on appeal in Mexico.
LUIS IGNACIO AMEZCUA-CONTRERAS
DOB: 02/22/64 (alt 02/21/64), (alt 02/21/74).
Criminal Organization: Amezcua-Contreras Organization.
U.S. Pending Criminal Charges:
December 21, 1994, Central District of California:
(1.) Conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to
distribute, and distribute methamphetamine.
(2.) Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
(3.) Possession of a listed chemical with reasonable cause
to believe the chemical would be used in the manufacture of
methamphetamine.
(4.) Conspiracy to launder money.
(5.) Money laundering.
June 18, 1998, Southern District of California:
(1.) Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise to
manufacture and distribute methamphetamine.
(2.) Conspiracy to possess ephedrine.
Status: U.S. fugitive. Arrested June 1998 in Mexico.
Incarcerated in Mexico. Provisional Arrest Warrant request--
for purpose of extradition. Extradition on appeal in Mexico.
RAMON EDUARDO ARELLANO-FELIX
DOB: 08/31/64.
Criminal Organization: Arellano-Felix Organization.
U.S. Pending Criminal Charges: September 11, 1997, Southern
District of California: Conspiracy to import cocaine and
marijuana.
Status: U.S. fugitive. Not arrested. Provisional Arrest
Warrant request.
VICENTE CARRILLO-FUENTES
DOB: 10/16/62.
Criminal Organization: Juarez Cartel, formerly known as
Amado Carrillo-Fuentes Organization.
U.S. Pending Charges:
October 6, 1993, Northern District of Texas: (1.)
Conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine.
August 6, 1997, Western District of Texas:
(1.) Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE).
(2.) Conspiracy to import and possess with intent to
distribute controlled substances.
(3.) Importation of controlled substances.
(4.) Possession with intent to distribute controlled
substances.
(5.) Money laundering.
Status: U.S. fugitive. Not arrested. Provisional Arrest
Warrant request.
ARTURO PAEZ-MARTINEZ
DOB: 08/31/67 (alt 11/22/66).
Criminal Organization: Arellano-Felix Organization.
U.S. Pending Charges:
June 27, 1997, Southern District of California: (1.)
Conspiracy to import cocaine.
December 19, 1997, Southern District of California:
(1.) Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) to
launder money.
(2.) Conspiracy to distribute and the distribution of
cocaine.
(3.) Conspiracy to import and the importation of cocaine.
(4.) Aiding and abetting.
Status: Arrested in Mexico. Incarcerated in Mexico.
Provisional Arrest Warrant request.
OSCAR MALHERBE DE LEON
DOB: 01/10/64.
Criminal Organization: One of the key leaders of the Juan
Garcia Abrego drug trafficking organization, also known as
the Gulf
[[Page E1193]]
Cartel. The Juan Garcia Abrego organization is known by U.S.
law enforcement agencies for its importation of large
quantities of controlled substances, its propensity for
violence, and its efforts to corrupt officials on both sides
of the U.S. Mexico border.
U.S. Pending Charges: May 1995, District of Southern Texas:
(1.) Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to
distribute cocaine.
(2.) Conspiracy to commit money laundering.
(3.) Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise.
Status: Arrested in Mexico. Incarcerated in Mexico.
Provisional Arrest Warrant Request. Extradition on appeal in
Mexican courts. Extradition to U.S. may take place after
completion of his sentence in Mexico for weapons offenses.
LORQUET SAINT-HILAIRE
Criminal Organization: One of the key leaders of a
Colombian-Haitian drug trafficking organization that has
moved significant quantities of cocaine from Colombia through
Haiti and then into Florida. On October 5, 1995, Saint-
Hilaire and five of his associates conspired to rob and kill
a federal agent who was acting in an undercover capacity.
Although the federal agent was shot at by Saint-Hilaire, he
was not injured. All five of Saint-Hilaire's associates were
later convicted on numerous drug and assault violations.
U.S. Pending Charges: October 1995, District of Southern
Florida:
(1.) Conspiracy to commit narcotics offenses.
(2.) Assault against a U.S. federal officer.
(3.) Attempt to rob mail, money or other property of the
U.S.
Status: Believed to be residing in the vicinity of Port de
Paix, Haiti. Provisional Arrest Warrant Request. No
extradition treaty in effect with Haiti.
JHON RAUL CASTRO
DOB: 09/05/63
Criminal organization: One of the key leaders of a major
cocaine trafficking organization based in Miami and Medellin,
Colombia. Castro's organization is known by U.S. law
enforcement agencies for its importation and distribution of
large quantities of cocaine from Colombia across the United
States. Since 1994, U.S. law enforcement authorities believe
that Castro has been responsible for the importation and
distribution of several thousand kilograms of cocaine through
cells located in Miami, Boston, New York, Chicago, Houston,
and Los Angeles.
U.S. Pending Charges: February 1999, District of Southern
Florida:
(1.) Conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
(2.) Other substantive drug charges being prepared.
Status: Believed to be residing in the vicinity of
Medellin, Colombia. Provisional Arrest Warrant Request.
Extradition request proceedings have been initiated with the
Colombian Government.
RAFAEL CARO--QUINTERO
DOB: 10/24/52 (alt 11/24/55), (alt 10/24/55).
Criminal Organization: Caro-Quintero Organization.
U.S. Pending Criminal Charges:
April 29, 1987, Central District of California:
(1.) Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to
distribute controlled substances.
(2.) Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE).
(3.) Criminal forfeiture.
(4.) Possession of controlled substance.
(5.) Alien in possession of firearm.
(6.) Aiding and abetting.
(7.) False identification documents used to defraud United
States.
(8.) False statement.
(9.) Travel act conspiracy.
July 14, 1988, District of Arizona:
(1.) Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE).
(2.) Conspiracy to import a controlled substance.
(3.) Importation of a controlled substance.
(4.) Bribery.
(5.) Exportation of currency.
(6.) Aiding and abetting.
July 30, 1991, Central District of California:
(1.) Violent crimes in aid of racketeering.
(2.) Conspiracy to commit violent crimes in aid of
racketeering.
(3.) Conspiracy to kidnap a Federal Agent.
(4.) Kidnapping of a Federal Agent.
(5.) Felony murder of a Federal Agent.
(6.) Aiding and abetting.
(7.) Accessory after the fact.
Status: U.S. fugitive. Incarcerated in Mexico. Provisional
Arrest Warrant request.
CHARLES MILLER AKA: EUSTACE O'CONNOR
DOB: 03/29/60
Criminal organization: Is the leader of a major Caribbean
drug trafficking organization based in St. Kitts that has
moved significant quantities of cocaine from Colombia through
the Eastern Caribbean and then into Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands and Florida. In October 1994, Miller and six
of his associates conspired to murder the Superintendent of
St. Kitts' Police. Since May 1996, the U.S. Government has
sought the extradition of Miller and two other notorious St.
Kitts' drug traffickers who are wanted in the U.S. on drug
trafficking charges. In October 1996 and again in January
1999, a St. Kitts magistrate ruled against the U.S. request
for Miller's extradition.
U.S. Pending Charges: October 1994, District of Southern
Florida: Conspiracy to commit narcotics offenses.
Status: Believed to be residing in the vicinity of
Basseterre, St. Kitts. Provisional Arrest Warrant Request.
Extradition request under deliberation by St. Kitts
Government since May 1996.
WILLIAM BRIAN MARTIN
DOB: 08/02/63 (alt 08/02/62).
Criminal Organization: Martin Organization.
U.S. Pending Charges:
May 4, 1993, District of Arizona:
(1.) Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE).
(2.) Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to
distribute cocaine and marijuana.
(3.) Conspiracy to commit money laundering.
February 23, 1994, District of Arizona:
(1.) Conspiracy to distribute over 1000 kilograms of
marijuana.
September 6, 1994, District of Arizona:
(1.) Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE).
(2.) Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
cocaine and marijuana.
Status: Arrested in Mexico. Incarcerated in Mexico.
Provisional Arrest Warrant request. Extradition from Mexico
on June 1, 1999.
____________________