MODEL AGENCY CAUGHT AT DRUG TRAFFICKING IN LATVIA RIGA.

RIGA, February 2 (Itar-Tass) -- A largest in the national history
consignment of cocaine was seized here on Saturday, when leaders of
the Republican Model Association were caught red-handed during a
regular customs examination at the airport. Western experts are now
arriving in Riga to find out how it became possible to safely pass
the customs checkpoints in their countries.

Chief of the Latvian bureau for prevention of drug trafficking Vilnis
Kipenis on Monday told reporters that President of the Model
Association Daira Silava, 35, and manager of the association Roland
Priverts, 36, arrived in the Latvian capital from Caracas. They took
a flight via New York, Paris and Zurich.

Silava had 1,860 grams in plastic bags hidden in coffee packs fastened
to her back and chest. Priverts had 0,9 grams of cocaine in his luggage.

Silava had a multiple entry visa to Venezuela. The police are now
making inquiries as to where, why, and how often she travelled.

The cost of the seized cocaine is estimated at 200 thousand dollars.
One gram of the drug costs in Latvia about 100 dollars. Its consumers
belong to the most wealthy circles. According to the officers of the
Bureau for prevention of drug trafficking, the whole consignment was
meant to be distributed in the republic.

On Thursday, US specialists will arrive in Riga to find out how it
became possible for the drug-traffickers to pass the examination at
the New York airport.

The Latvian Model Association has been training girls for different
competitions. Now the office of the association is closed and the
partners have canceled contracts with it. On Saturday, when the
Latvian participants in the "Miss Millennium" competition were
wondering in one of the Riga clubs where their president was, Silava
was subject to interrogation. The Association had also made
arrangements for "Miss Latvia" competition, and joined efforts with
the French "Idole" firm to hold a competition for teenagers.