71.   Five convicted drug traffickers were publicly executed in the Iranian capital Monday, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

72.   Four convicted drug traffickers have been hanged in southern Iran, the Kayhan newspaper reported Sunday.

73.   He noted that many witnesses were convicted drug dealers, presumably seeking reduced sentences.

74.   He was the first convicted drug offender ever executed in the country.

75.   Humberto Garcia Abrego, brother of convicted drug lord Juan Garcia Abrego, was released from custody before charges could be filed against him.

76.   In a separate report, the Yangcheng Evening News said the railway court in Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong, executed four convicted drug traffickers on Thursday.

77.   In an effort to curb rampant heroin trafficking, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto enacted new laws allowing convicted drug smugglers to be sentenced to death.

78.   In March, a convicted drug kingpin won a delay nine days before he was to be executed.

79.   It has also repeatedly accused government leaders of meeting convicted drug traffickers and interfering in hospital development tenders.

80.   It said three other convicted drug traffickers -- two Thais and one Malaysian -- also were hanged.