Drug Probe Nears Colombia’s Leader

Police on Wednesday arrested the treasurer of President Ernesto Samper’s election campaign for allegedly receiving money from the Cali drug cartel, the prosecutor general’s office said.

The arrest of Santiago Medina, a wealthy 44-year-old architect, is the latest blow to the Samper administration, which has been trying to fend off accusations it took drug money to win the June 1994 elections.

Ironically, the arrest comes as Samper has been receiving high marks for his offensive against the Cali cartel, which has put five cartel kingpins behind bars since June.

Prosecutor General Alfonso Valdivieso said last week he had several solid leads on Cali cartel corruption of Colombian politics, and that they possibly could lead right to Samper.