GN investigates source of narco-traffickers' heavy weapons

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, March 14, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Attorney General’s Office and National Guard (GN) Anti-Drugs Command is currently investigating the source of weapons seized during Venezuela’s second biggest drug seizure last week in Sucre State.

• Among the weapons seized were 2FN30s as used by the Armed Force (FAN) before the FAL 7.62mm) was introduced and a caliber 45 sub-machine gun.

Command commander, GN General Jose Antonio Paez says the FAN Armament Office (Darfa) is in investigating whether the weapons belong to the FAN. Paez says the Banking Association has been asked to collaborate in tracing the financial movements of 8 persons arrested during the GN operations to seize the drugs.

5 tonnes of cocaine and 100 kilos of marijuana were seized at a remote fishing village and the fact that armed narco-traffickers had taken over the village has come as unwelcome surprise to narcotics control agencies and the government facing international criticism for sleeping on its laurels during the all-consuming political crisis.