1.   The cartel associate with whom he supposedly conspired, Juan Carlos Gomez, is an international fugitive.

2.   A cartel associate carrying a large amount of dollars can be more easily tied to his superiors.

3.   But others are delegating authority in the drug trade and legitimate businesses before turning themselves in, the cartel associate said.

4.   Comptroller David Turbay said he was accused of accepting one night in a Cali hotel room paid for by cartel associates.

5.   Documents seized in Cali last month show Mestre received thousands of dollars from cartel associates, authorities said.

6.   Medina testified that cartel associates brought cash to his home in boxes for delivery to regional campaign treasurers.

7.   Now they leave their cellular phones at home and drive around in cheaper cars to avoid attention, said a cartel associate who spoke on condition of anonymity.