Venezuela's interior minister says two National Guard sergeants and one lieutenant have been arrested for alleged involvement in the smuggling of 1.4 metric tons of cocaine to Paris on an Air France flight in three dozen suitcases.
Minister Miguel Rodriguez told state TV that the three men were arrested yesterday 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 September 10.
Venezuela has become a major transit point for US- and European-destined cocaine in recent years with Washington accusing several senior Venezuelan military officials of involvement.
