www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, March 09, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Venezuelan Baseball Federation (FVB) has made a surprise announcement that it won’t be sending a team to the Pan American games in the Dominican Republic simply because it won’t come home with medals.

FVB president Francisco Serrano says Venezuela is unlikely to be among the top three teams.

“There is no guarantee that we will get any medals and together with the coaches we have taken the decision not to send a team in August.“

Justifying its position, the Federation says it has reviewed the team’s form in international events: 7th place in the Intercontinental Cup in Cuba, eliminated in the Central American Games in El Salvador and 4th place in the Americas Cup in Monterrey (Mexico).

“In view of current performance and the presence of USA, Puerto Rico and host the Dominican Republic, it’s not worthwhile sending a team.”

www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, March 09, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

For the second time in just 15 days National Guard (GN) 31st border unit has seized 4.9 kilos of so-called black cocaine.

3rd GN Region (CORE-3) commander, General Miguel Ramirez Gonzalez says a Colombian was arrested carrying the drugs hidden in a false bottom of a suitcase.

“The dealer attempted to pass during the early hours of the morning when vigilance is slacker and tried to mix his baggage with that of traders carrying merchandise to the Maracaibo market.”

GN agents checking suitcases localized a paste that had a strong smell and after tests discovered it was cocaine.

Two weeks earlier the GN seized 1.2 tonnes of cocaine.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, March 09, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Police Detective Branch (CICPC) has announced that a retired State Political & Security (DISIP) Police commissioner, currently part of Plaza Francia (Altamira) rebel security apparatus, is being investigated for his alleged role in the death of the three rebel army privates and a girl on February 16.

The police allege that the former DISIP agent and Tayro Robinson Aristiguieta planned the soldiers’ death, hiring four men to do the job.

The motive, the police claims, is related to possible vengeance involved in drug dealing and car theft … the murdered soldiers were allegedly recruited by a gang involved in the illegal activities in Caracas.

Aristiguieta’s brother was killed in a shootout with the CICPC in San Diego, Carabobo on February 5 … the police is working on the hunch that the three soldiers were murdered for “grassing” on the organization.

Altamira rebel supreme, General Medina Gomez denies CICPC allegations saying the soldiers were dissidents and not criminals … “the case is being fixed … there was a political motive behind the killings.”

www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, March 09, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The National Guard (GN) Anti-Drugs command has seized 5K kilos of high-grade cocaine and 100 kilos of marijuana in a major swoop at an isolated fishing village near Carupano (Sucre).

Ending a month’s surveillance, Command commander, GN General Jose Antonio Paez led a GN special ops group that surprised villagers by landing in helicopters and launches from the sea to seal off the village.

Paez says 15 armed men supposedly Colombians managed to escape the dragnet but 8 Venezuelans and one woman were arrested with the booty.

“The drugs had been stored in 2 houses of the 14-house Puerto la Cruz village … the cocaine was ready for transshipment to neighboring Trinidad & Tobago on its way to the USA … marijuana final destination was the Caribbean islands.”

edition.cnn.com Sunday, March 9, 2003 Posted: 1641 GMT (12:41 AM HKT)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan soldiers seized more than 5 metric tons (5.5 short tons) of cocaine and 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of marijuana in a remote fishing town, El Nacional newspaper reported Sunday.

Nine people, all Venezuelans, were arrested in the drugs haul in the coastal town of Carupano, Sucre state, 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of Caracas, said state prosecutor Jose Guerrero. Guerrero was not available for further comment.

The seizure was the culmination of more than a month's intelligence work by the National Guard's anti-narcotics unit, the Venezuelan government and international agencies.

The cocaine, in 5,020 1-kilogram (2.2-pound) packets, was being stored in sacks inside two beach front houses under armed guard. The marijuana was found in the same place.

The drugs were believed to have come from neighboring Colombia and were destined for the Caribbean island of Trinidad before being dispatched to the United States and Europe, El Nacional reported.