Noriega Stashed Millions, His Banker Testifies

MIAMI — Deposed Panamanian dictator Manuel A. Noriega insisted on “strict confidentiality” when he opened a coded account in the early 1980s at the scandal-plagued Bank of Credit & Commerce International, the former dictator’s personal banker testified Thursday.

Amjad Awan, 44, a Pakistani-born banker who was convicted of money laundering after a lengthy trial in Tampa, Fla., last year, told jurors at Noriega’s drug smuggling and racketeering trial here that the Panamanian strongman’s financial affairs were under tight security.

Awan took the witness stand late Thursday--and will continue his testimony next week--as the government nears the conclusion of its nearly three-month case against Noriega.

Awan said that Noriega or an assistant regularly would make deposits ranging from $100,000 to $2 million.

Prosecutors hope that Awan can demonstrate through records and bank ledgers that Noriega funneled between $20 million and $30 million through BCCI.