ANOTHER DEALER IDS MILAN CLAIMS CAMDEN MAYOR BOUGHT COKE IN BULK

A second convicted drug dealer implicated Camden Mayor Milton Milan a the trial yesterday of an accused drug lord, suggesting that Milan bought cocaine from the cartel.

Milan has angrily denied allegations, made over the past week in federal court, that he purchased bulk amounts of cocaine in 1993, four years before becoming mayor.

The mayor's name has surfaced in the drug conspiracy trial of accused kingpins Jose "J.R." Rivera and Luis "Tun Tun" Figueroa.  The two are accused of running the largest cocaine ring in Camden history.

Meanwhile, in another surprising twist, the name of reputed Philadelphia organized crime leader Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino came up during testimony by another drug dealer who said he held contraband for Merlino while the two were in the same jail.

Angel Torres testified that Milan was one of three people who purchased parts of two large shipments of cocaine from New York.  Torres worked for the "33rd Street Set," which controlled one of the most lucrative drug markets in Camden.

Asked by Assistant U.S.  Attorney Sally Smith to name some of the ring's customers, Torres replied, "Davey, Milton and Tony," adding, "I don't know their last names."

While awaiting an elevator outside the courtroom after his testimony, Torres refused to elaborate on his comments, saying, "I ain't got no answers for that."

However, Milan's attorney, Carlos Martir, said the testimony was a clear reference to his client.  Milan has not been charged in the drug conspiracy case, but has been targeted by federal authorities in an ongoing corruption probe in Camden.

"It's all part of the government's attempt to begin the trial of Milton Milan before he's even accused of a crime," said Martir, who also represents Figueroa.

Admitted drug dealer Lucas Torres brought up Merlino's name yesterday.

Under questioning by Rivera's attorney, Lucas Torres said he was punished after he was caught holding contraband for Merlino in the Salem County Jail.  Torres also admitted smoking marijuana he purchased in jail from another drug dealer serving time there.

Meanwhile, Angel Torres testified he traveled to Manhattan in the summer of 1993 to pick up about 15 kilos to 20 kilos of cocaine and returned about a month later to get another shipment.  The cocaine was brought to Camden, diluted and sold.