FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CRM
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1997                             (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                RENO HAILS VENEZUELAN EXTRADITION

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Venezuelan Supreme Court on
Thursday, May 22, announced that accused Colombian drug
trafficker Justo Pastor Perafan would be extradited to the United
States to face trial on drug charges.

     "We congratulate the Government of Venezuela for its arrest
and extradition of Mr. Perafan, who stands accused of
responsibility for smuggling more than 30 tons of cocaine into
the United States.  Mr. Perafan will now stand trial in the
United States for the serious crimes for which he is accused,"
said Attorney General Janet Reno.

     Perafan is the subject of an eight-count indictment filed
August 15, 1995 in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern
District of New York.  According to the indictment, Perafan was
organizer, supervisor and manager of a continuing criminal
enterprise which violated the narcotics laws of the United States
from approximately 1988 through June 1994.
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