The Law: The Chile Disconnection

Barely one week after the toppling of Salvador Allende's regime last year, Chilean authorities set about arresting drug smugglers. During the Allende years, according to Interpol, Chile had played host to the world's largest cocaine-trafficking operation, and the U.S., which was at the receiving end of the line, was not at all happy. The new junta and American narcs quickly worked out a cozy arrangement. Five federal drug agents flew to Chile to finger smugglers. Chilean police arrested and eventually expelled the suspects on a nonstop flight to the U.S.—often after days of...

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