5 American soldiers
accused of smuggling cocaine in Colombia
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Five U.S army soldiers are under investigation for allegedly trying to smuggle about 15 kilograms of cocaine out of Colombia aboard a U.S. military aircraft, American officials said Thursday.
The soldiers were detained Tuesday as a result of the investigation, said Lt.-Col. Eduardo Villavicencio, a spokesman for the U.S. military's Southern Command in Florida. He would not disclose where the five are being held, other than "in the United States."
"The Department of Defence is working closely with Colombian authorities and U.S. law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation," William Wood, the U.S. ambassador to Colombia, said in a statement. "I congratulate our law enforcement agencies for their excellent co-operation in uncovering this drug smuggling scheme." The embassy declined further comment.
Colombia's Defence Ministry confirmed an investigation was underway, but wouldn't discuss details of the case.
The United States has provided more than $3 billion US in aid over the past four years to help Colombia battle Marxist rebels and drug trafficking that fuels the 40-year-old insurgency.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2005/03/31/978452-ap.html
accused of smuggling cocaine in Colombia
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Five U.S army soldiers are under investigation for allegedly trying to smuggle about 15 kilograms of cocaine out of Colombia aboard a U.S. military aircraft, American officials said Thursday.
The soldiers were detained Tuesday as a result of the investigation, said Lt.-Col. Eduardo Villavicencio, a spokesman for the U.S. military's Southern Command in Florida. He would not disclose where the five are being held, other than "in the United States."
"The Department of Defence is working closely with Colombian authorities and U.S. law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation," William Wood, the U.S. ambassador to Colombia, said in a statement. "I congratulate our law enforcement agencies for their excellent co-operation in uncovering this drug smuggling scheme." The embassy declined further comment.
Colombia's Defence Ministry confirmed an investigation was underway, but wouldn't discuss details of the case.
The United States has provided more than $3 billion US in aid over the past four years to help Colombia battle Marxist rebels and drug trafficking that fuels the 40-year-old insurgency.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2005/03/31/978452-ap.html
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 4:56 AM
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