Venezuela arrests seven in cocaine case of Berlusconi's ex-aide
Source: Reuters
Venezuela arrests seven in cocaine case of Berlusconi's ex-aide
By Daniel Wallis
CARACAS, March 19 Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:22pm EDT
(Reuters) - Venezuelan authorities have detained seven people, including four young workers at an airport cafe, in connection with the cocaine smuggling arrest of an ex-secretary to former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Federica Gagliardi, dubbed the "white lady" by Italy's media, was detained last week by police at Rome's Fiumicino airport who found 24 kg (53 lbs) of cocaine in her carry-on luggage after she stepped off a flight from Caracas.
Venezuela's state prosecutor said on Wednesday a policeman, a National Guard soldier, and a junior official were arrested at the Simon Bolivar International Airport, as well as the four cafe workers.
"Their presumed connection with the trafficking of the drugs seized in Italy was determined by various investigations," the prosecutor said in a statement.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/19/venezuela-italy-cocaine-idUSL2N0MG0NN20140319?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews&rpc=401
