Nation in brief

Imprisoned brothers ran drugs, feds say

MIAMI - Two brothers who helped found the Cali cartel resumed running their billion-dollar drug operation from inside their Colombian prison cells, federal authorities said Monday in announcing their indictments.

The 12-year investigation into the drug trafficking and money-laundering operations of Miguel Rodriguez-Orejuela and Gilberto Rodriguez-Orejuela was one of the largest in U.S. history, U.S. Attorney Marcos Jimenez said. The brothers and nine associates were named in federal indictments that were unsealed Monday.

The brothers have been incarcerated for their leadership of the Cali cartel since the summer of 1995, after a far-reaching investigation by U.S. and Colombian officials.

The indictment alleges that from 1990 until July 2002 the defendants conspired to import cocaine into the United States and conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, importing the drugs hidden in concrete posts, frozen vegetables, lumber, ceramic tiles, coffee and chlorine cylinders.

The indictments were the latest development in a drug investigation called "Operation Cornerstone," which has led to the seizure of nearly 55 tons of cocaine and $15-million in U.S. currency, officials said.

CHICAGO - Federal authorities will not authorize the state of Illinois to buy prescription drugs from Canada, even as a small test program, because they cannot ensure the safety of those drugs, officials from the Health and Human Services Department said on Monday.

But William A. Pierce, Thompson's spokesman, said Thompson has found no evidence to support a safety guarantee.

WASHINGTON - At a menorah lighting ceremony Monday at the White House, President Bush prayed for Americans serving in the U.S. armed forces and expressed his hope that all people who live under oppression will one day be free.

"We hope and pray that all who live under tyranny, will see their day of freedom, and that the light of faith will always shine through the darkness," Bush said before candles were lighted on a 3-foot candelabra more than two centuries old.

DENVER - The flu outbreak in hard-hit Colorado has apparently peaked and is beginning to ease, health officials said Monday.

"It appears that the increase in the number of flu cases peaked during the first week of December," said Douglas Benevento, executive director of the state health department. "Colorado should continue to register weekly decreases."

The flu has killed at least 11 children and one adult in Colorado this season.

PILOT POSTS BAIL: A Virgin Atlantic Airways pilot accused of showing up drunk to fly a plane from Washington to London was released from jail Monday after posting $25,000 bail and surrendering his passport. Richard G. Harwell, 55, faces a charge of attempting to operate an aircraft while under the influence of an intoxicating drug or alcohol. The felony carries a maximum five years in prison and $2,500 fine.

NO SENTENCE YET FOR MALVO: A jury began deciding Monday whether Lee Boyd Malvo should live or die for his part in the Washington sniper attacks. Jurors met for three hours without reaching a decision and were to resume deliberations today.

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