(18 Dec 1999) Spanish/Nat
Colombian police have detained one of the country's most important alleged "front men" from the notorious Cali drugs cartel.
Oscar Fernando Cuevas Cepeda is suspected of financing a whole network of "front companies" to launder proceeds from narco-trafficking.
Oscar Fernando Cuevas Cepeda was arrested by police as he carried out a bank transaction in central Bogota.
Law officials have reportedly been looking for him since 1996 when the Attorney General's Office began an investigation into alleged money laundering.
According to Metropolitan police chief General Serna, Cuevas offered a 3 (m) million (U-S) dollar bribe a police offer if he turned a blind eye whilst he made his getaway.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I am announcing the capture of Oscar Fernando Cuevas Cepeda last night by the Attorney General's Office for the crime of illegal activities. This individual was captured north of Santa Fe in Bogota when he'd finished a bank transaction at the branch office of Bancafe, Avenue 19 with street 103. He was travelling in an expensive car without number plates. He was therefore identified as a member of a non governmental organisation. He was asked for ID and he produced false documents in the name of Jairo Roberto Galeano. This ID was accompanied with credit cards and bank documents. It's important to realise that at the moment of capture, he (Cuevas) offered a bribe of 3 million dollars in exchange for his freedom."
SUPER CAPTION: General Argemiro Serna, Metropolitan police chief
Colombian authorities say Cuevas is the director of various companies, money exchanges and small airlines.
When asked about offering a police bribe, Cuevas vehemently denied it.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Q. Did you offer a bribe for 3 million dollars?
A. First I'd like to say to that you lot as journalists have no right to comment on this supposed police bribe. No one tried - and even less so with 3 million dollars. Three million dollars is a number that is ridiculously high.
Q. The police say you did.
A. I doubt it. I didn't do it."
SUPER CAPTION: Oscar Fernando Cuevas Cepeda
Police say Cuevas will now be investigated for alleged links to the Rodriguez Orejuela brothers, the Cali cartel kingpins who were arrested in 1995.
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