VENEZUELAN FORCES SEIZE COCAINE

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Security forces seized 2.5 tons of cocaine in a
remote jungle corner of northeastern Venezuela during a continuing
international drug crackdown that is the largest in the nation's history,
officials said.

National Guard officials discovered the haul Tuesday night after a fresh
series of raids on businesses in the jungle region along the eastern delta
of the Orinoco River.

Last week, Venezuelan and foreign agents recovered a record 5 tons of
cocaine in the Orinoco jungle and arrested 14 people in three countries in
an international effort to disband the Los Mellizos drug band. The raids are
a result of an eight-month investigation, financed in part by the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration. Security forces used telephone bugging
equipment, three planes, three helicopters and eight boats.

46oreign Minister Jose Vicente Rangel told The Associated Press Tuesday
night that 1.5 tons of cocaine were found. But National Guard spokesman
Eduardo Sanchez confirmed Wednesday that the amount was actually 2.5 tons.

National Guard officials said on Wednesday that the raids continue and more
cocaine could be recovered in the coming days.

Venezuela is a key trafficking route for Colombian cocaine en route to the
United States.

Rangel praised the bust as an indication that Venezuela is cooperating with
global anti-drug efforts despite repeated refusals by President Hugo Chavez
to allow U.S. anti-narcotic planes to fly over the country.

``The important thing is that even without the overflights, drug packets are
being discovered. This is the most important thing. The overflights are
unnecessary,'' Rangel said.

Six of the 14 people initially arrested were released after it was
determined that they were not involved in the crime, according to the
National Guard. Two people in Italy and one person in France were among
those detained in the international operation.

Two Colombians captured in Venezuela were deported to the United States
where they were wanted on related drug trafficking charges, according to
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Michael McManus.

U.S. Embassy officials called the operation ``an example of excellent
cooperation over a period of several months,'' between the United States and
Venezuela.

Colombia, France, Britain, Italy, Greece and Panama also collaborated with
the operation.