
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 13, 1990                   TAG: 9006130554
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SUPPLIER OF DRUGS IS FINED

A Florida man who had been a fugitive since he was indicted on drug charges several years ago was placed on five years' probation and fined $5,000 Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Roanoke.

Richard Krone, who pleaded guilty, had surrendered to federal authorities, Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Peters said.

Krone was identified as the main supplier of cocaine to George Lee Kosko, a former golf pro who in 1988 was convicted in Roanoke of federal drug charges and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Kosko was convicted in 1988 on charges of running a drug-smuggling operation. His trial portrayed him as the main supplier of cocaine to a loosely knit group of dealers.

Testimony showed that Kosko made more than $2 million a year - using the money to support a lavish lifestyle that included women, expensive champagne and trips to Key West and Las Vegas.

"Kosko was our local problem, but Krone went to Florida to get the cocaine for him," Peters said. "Krone was the source. He knew where he could get a kilo at a time."

Peters said she had no idea why Krone decided to turn himself in.

"I guess it gets to be too much trouble looking over your shoulder," she said.

by CNB