ALLEGED U.S. COCAINE DEALER SAYS PROFITS WENT TO NICARAGUAN CONTRAS

DRUG PROBE

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (JULY 9) AFP - An alleged drug dealer told a federal
undercover agent late last year that 75 percent of his illict profits were
given to U.S.-backed Nicaraguan rebels, or contras, the agent has said.

Federal fugitive Detlaff Thomas told U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent
William Hehr on December 18, 1986, that 25 percent of Thomas' drug profits went
to his family and the rest went to the contras who are fighting to topple the
Nicaraguan government, Hehr told a federal court Wednesday.

Hehr added that the cocaine obtained from Thomas was among the purest he had
ever encountered, at about 91 to 98 percent pure.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Liccione said federal authorities ''always try
to trace drug proceeds,'' but he declined to comment on whether investigators
had linked Thomas to the contras.

Hehr gave his testimony at the trial of Thomas's 28-year-old sister, Leticia
distribute cocaine after being arrested in a ''sting'' operation aimed at
Thomas.

Thomas has been a fugitive on drug charges since January 20.

Thomas-Altamirano's attorney, Richard Congdon, said she is a native of
Jinotega, Nicaragua who first visited the United States on an exchange program
before the 1979 revolution that ousted former dictator Anastasio Somoza
Debayle.

Thomas-Altamirano, who said she is married to former Nicaraguan vice president
under the Somoza government, Bayardo Jiron, also said she has applied for
political asylum in the United States.

=END=


under the Somoza government, Bayardo Jiron, also 