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Venezuela has arrested three soldiers for alleged involvement in smuggling 1.3 tonnes of cocaine on an AirFrance flight from Caracas to Paris, the South American nation's public prosecutor's office said on Sunday.
Venezuela's interior minister Miguel Rodriguez speaking with state TV said two National Guard sergeants and one lieutenant were arrested.
He said they were arrested on Sunday and that additional arrests were expected, with airline workers suspected.
French officials had announced on Saturday the discovery of the narcotics in luggage without baggage tickets indicating their owner. The flight had arrived in Paris on Sept. 10.
The street value of the stash is put at $270.19 million.
Venezuela has become a major transit point for U.S.- and European-destined cocaine in recent years with Washington accusing several senior Venezuelan military officials of involvement.
Venezuela's interior minister Miguel Rodriguez speaking with state TV said two National Guard sergeants and one lieutenant were arrested.
He said they were arrested on Sunday and that additional arrests were expected, with airline workers suspected.
French officials had announced on Saturday the discovery of the narcotics in luggage without baggage tickets indicating their owner. The flight had arrived in Paris on Sept. 10.
The street value of the stash is put at $270.19 million.
Venezuela has become a major transit point for U.S.- and European-destined cocaine in recent years with Washington accusing several senior Venezuelan military officials of involvement.