US: Two-ton cocaine load shipped under Saudi prince's protection

[struggle4progress]

By CATHERINE WILSON
Associated Press Writer
March 08, 2005

Federal prosecutors are tying a Saudi prince with diplomatic immunity to a 2-ton Colombian cocaine smuggling run from Venezuela to Paris on his personal aircraft and $10 million in artwork seized by drug agents pursuing the prince's ex-girlfriend.

In opening statements Tuesday, the defense responded that the government's case is built on the word of an enormously successful Colombian drug dealer who "duped" everyone by laundering drug money from behind bars while cooperating with federal agents. <snip>

Lopez had approached Usuga with a proposition for flying cocaine on the plane used by Saudi prince and Swiss banker Nayef bin Sultan bin Fawwaz Al-Shaalan, Selmore charged. After marrying a royal princess, he flew the world with an entourage of dozens and diplomatic immunity that avoided luggage inspections.

Co-defendants Al-Shaalan and Jose Maria Clemente, a Spaniard beyond the reach of U.S. extradition, agreed to evenly split their profits, Selmore said. The prince would pay a broker fee to Mangeri, his college sweetheart at the University of Miami, and Clemente owed Lopez. <snip>

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050308/APN/503081048&cachetime=3&template=dateline

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. As Gomer would say, "surprise, suprise, suprise."

[annabanana]

2. Hooo EEE!

I smell an Oscar! Seriously... just imagine the cast!

[Sporadicus]

4. Somebody Alert Oliver Stone!

Seriously. This sounds like a project he could really sink his teeth into.

[loudsue]

3. That's why Saudi royals are such good buds w/ the bush crime family...

they're all cut from the same "above the law" cloth.

:kick::kick::kick:

[ananda]

5. Traffik II

Can't wait for the film.

Sue