Sources for this special report

The story of Operation Millennium sits in a bulging docket at the federal courthouse in Miami titled: USA vs. Bernal-Madrigal et al.

There are 1,306 entries, including literally hundreds of thousands of pages of legal filings. Many are sealed.

The government argues that the identity and information regarding certain persons involved in the case must remain hidden to protect lives. Defense lawyers say the government is using secrecy to hide other things, too.

That's what prompted this story, which was reported over the past 18 months.

The secrecy surrounding the case is also a sign of its political sensitivity. The drug war in Colombia is at a critical stage after the United States has pumped almost $2-billion into that country in the past three years.

The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to discuss Operation Millennium. Neither would the DEA. Where U.S. officials or DEA agents are quoted, their comments are taken from court documents or from public pretrial hearings held in February.

The St. Petersburg Times reviewed as much of the evidence available in the public record as possible. The government's main evidence, thousands of hours of wiretaps and bugged conversations, has not been made public, although defense lawyers were provided copies. The Times was able to review partial transcripts of some conversations.

Interviews were conducted in Miami and Medellin with lawyers for many of the 43 defendants, as well as their family members.

Baruch Vega agreed to be interviewed, on four separate occasions, several hours at a time. The family of Fabio Ochoa also agreed to lengthy interviews at the family ranch outside Medellin.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright