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American Morning

Simpson's House Searched in Connection With DEA Operation

Aired December 04, 2001 - 09:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: O.J. Simpson is back in the news this morning. Let's turn to Mark Potter, our man on the ground in Miami to have him explain how O.J. Simpson, in any way, could be connected to a two-year investigation of money-laundering and drug distribution. What's going on?

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Paula, we're outside the home of O.J. Simpson in south Miami Dade county right now. That home is being searched. Still, it's been searched for several hours now by agents of the FBI, and the DEA. Local police are in there, as well as a representative of the Florida Highway Patrol who brought a search dog. They've been going through the house and the car.

We are told that O.J. Simpson has not been charged. He has not been arrested. In fact, he greeted the officers at the house when they got here at dawn, and then he left on his own in his own car at about 8:20 Eastern Time this morning. What we do know, however, from authorities is that this search is somehow connected to a two-year investigation called Operation Axe, it's looking into a number of things, including the distribution of the illegal drug Ecstasy, the distribution from Holland to Miami Beach.

This investigation also involves money-laundering to the tune of $800,000. Also, the manufacturing and distribution of fraudulent satellite TV cards. Now, how O.J. Simpson is linked to this, we do not know. One law enforcement source has told our Susan Candiotti at the Justice Department that the FBI interest in this may stem from some wiretap information. Twelve other people have been charged in this case. Ten so far have been arrested. Some in Chicago, most in the South Florida area. One person is wanted in Brazil.

The agents, as I say, got here before dawn. O.J. Simpson greeted them in his bath robe. Police say, however, after that, he cooperated fully. And, as I said, he left here a while ago. His lawyer came here to talk to the authorities but he also left the area without comment.

So, what happens to O.J. Simpson next may very well determined -- be determined by what the law enforcement officials find here in the house. If they find anything. But that's the status right now. His home is being searched, but to be clear, he has not been charged. He has not been arrested. Paula, back to you.

ZAHN: We will come back to you as soon as new details emerge. Mark Potter, thanks for that update.

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