Pardon my lack of research on this. I came across this and wanted to post it but I do not have the time to invetgate it. If anyone of you can provide insight in anyway it is greatly appreciated.
Laura, whereabouts
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US Choppers sold to Israel used in Columbian Drug Cartel ??
Shady Deal

��Israel AirForce chopper. From Gaza to Jungle

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Israel Defence Forces choppers in service of drug cartel �
American officials demand Israel provide explanations for how
U.S.-made choppers sold to Israel ended up in service of Columbian
drug cartel. Incident may cloud relations between countries Itamar
Eichner
������Another diplomatic incident threatens to taint
U.S.-Israeli relations: The American government has recently demanded
Israel clarify how five U.S.-made helicopters sold to Israel in the
mid-70s found their way into the hands of a Columbian drug cartel. �
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Full Story
An U.S. embassy official met with an Israeli foreign ministry official
in Jerusalem several days ago, where he informed him that the American
Foreign Ministry has requested the embassy to launch an investigation
into the matter.
�
According to American sources, the military copters currently serve the
drug mafia in the South American country.
�
Top diplomatic sources fear that this incident will once again heat-up
tensions between Israel and the U.S. and cloud the strategic dialogue
between the two countries, which is scheduled to renew in November,
after talks were suspended for more than a year-and-a-half. �
Kosher deal went sour
�
The dubious affair, which was already investigated by the Israeli
Defense Ministry, and later turned over to the hands of the police, was
uncovered about two years ago.
�
Investigators revealed that the Defense Ministry signed a deal with an
Israeli company three years ago, contracting it to negotiate the sale of
five IAF helicopters for a sum of USD 100,000 per aircraft. �
The ministry permitted the choppers, of a MD 500 Defender model, be sold
either to the Mexican federal police, or to the Spain firefighters
department. However, contrary to the terms of the license, the copters
ended up in Columbia, by way of Canadian mediators. �
A Defense Ministry spokeswoman said in response that "after suspicions
were raised that an illicit exchange took place, the ministry launched
an initial investigation into the matter last year." �
"According to instructions of the chief prosecutor, the case was handed
over to the police in 2004," she added.
�
Sources at the Defense Ministry refused to comment on the matter. �
Itamar Eichner writes for Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel's leading newspaper
�
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