22217: (Hermantin) Miami-Herald-Haitian Ex-Senator Fourel Celestin Faces Drug Charges (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>


MIAMI

HAITIAN EX-SENATOR

FACES DRUG CHARGES

A former Haitian senator surrendered to federal agents Tuesday in
Port-au-Prince on drug-smuggling conspiracy charges, according to law
enforcement sources.

Agents immediately brought Fourel Celestin to Miami to stand trial.

The U.S. attorney's office said Fourel's arrest warrant was unsealed on
Tuesday and that he is scheduled for his first appearance today in Miami
federal court.

According to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration affidavit, Celestin
received tens of thousands of dollars in protection money to ensure
shipments of cocaine through Haiti. The affidavit, based on five
confidential informants, also accuses Celestin of hoarding cocaine shipments
in his Jacmel home and narcotics trafficking.

His arrest was part of a widening investigation into alleged
drug-trafficking activity in the administration of deposed Haitian President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

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