FORMER NESTLE EXECUTIVE ACCUSED OF DRUG SMUGGLING IS RELEASED, 1999-02-12 (photo)

Andreas Haenggi, 62, (L), an executive for the Swiss Nestle food giant, hugs his wife, Germain Phalantrain, after being released February 12 on appeal after it was argued that he had been convicted on insufficient evidence. Nicolas, Andreas Haenggi's son, had his sentence reduced from 20 years to 3, commutable to a fine, which Nicolas said he could not afford to pay. Haenggi was the manager of Nestle's factory in Antigua, Guatemala, when he was arrested in August, 1997. The Haenggis and four co-defendants were accused of trying to smuggle 13 kilos of cocaine to Europe, hidden in a shipment of ornamental plants. HR/HB