18 May 1998
(Says action "sends a clear message" to drug financiers) (260) Geneva -- President Clinton says the federal government indictments handed down against participants in a major drug money-laundering scheme "send a clear message" to those who finance drug operations that they "will not escape the long arm of our nation's law enforcement." The President issued the statement May 18 in Geneva, where he was attending the World Trade Organization (WTO) conference. Some 112 persons have been indicted in the case, which the Treasury Department calls "the largest, most comprehensive money-laundering case in the history of US law enforcement." Authorities also seized $35 million in drug money, more than two tons of cocaine and more than four tons of marijuana. Following is the White House text: (begin text) THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary (Geneva, Switzerland) May 18, 1998 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT I am pleased that the Treasury Department and the United States Customs Service have joined today with the Justice Department to take a significant step to protect our nation and its children from drugs. The indictments today send a clear message that those who help finance drug operations, who launder drug money, who make it possible for drug dealers to earn their illegal profits, will not escape the long arm of our nation's law enforcement. We still have much to do, but let no one doubt that we will press this fight relentlessly against the drug cartels and all their partners in crime. (end text)