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

DATE: SATURDAY, April 13, 1991                   TAG: 9104130431
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

DRUG HAUL MAY BE VA.'S BIGGEST

A rental van holding 300 kilograms, or 660 pounds, of cocaine, worth an estimated $6 million to $7.5 million at wholesale prices, was seized by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Virginia State Police officials Tuesday at an Interstate 95 toll plaza in south Richmond.

Hernan Julio Medina, said to be in his 40s, and Luz Elena Castro, said to be in her 20s, were arrested and a 23-foot rental van confiscated. Inside was the cocaine, which authorities said was destined for New York City.

According to an affidavit, Gene Johnson, a DEA group supervisor in Orlando, Fla., told agents here that the agency was keeping the van under surveillance in Florida.

Authorities had learned that the truck was carrying cocaine. The truck was stopped at the toll plaza and a drug-sniffing dog was used to find the drugs.

"I would suspect that this is the biggest," said Sam Meale, resident agent in charge of the Richmond DEA. "Everyone has told me that it is. I would bet that it is."

Medina and Castro have been charged with a criminal complaint alleging the possession of more than five kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute.

They are to appear in U.S. District Court for a preliminary hearing Tuesday unless they are indicted by a U.S. grand jury in the meantime. A grand jury will be meeting Monday.

- Associated Press