SAUDI PRINCE FACES DRUG CHARGES

A Saudi prince is being sought by US drug enforcement agents on charges of
smuggling cocaine from Venezuela to France, US authorities have revealed.

Nayef Bin Sultan Bin Fawwaz Al-Shaalan, whom prosecutors say is not in the
line of succession to the Saudi throne, was indicted by a Miami court along
with two Colombians and a Spanish man on charges of possession and
conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

However, officials at the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) said they did not
know the prince's whereabouts and it remains unclear whether he can be
prosecuted if found because of his diplomatic immunity.

The prince is alleged to have smuggled 1,980 kilograms (4,400 pounds) of the
drug on his private jet in 1999.

Global Operation

Some of the drug seized in France and in Spain was subsequently traced back
to the prince's alleged shipment, DEA agents told the Associated Press news
agency.

Investigators uncovered the alleged operation following tip-offs from
Colombian drug informants. A DEA report detailed how the reported deal
broker - Doris Mangeri Salazar - had introduced the prince to smugglers in
1998.

Ms Salazar was arrested on Wednesday by DEA agents, who reportedly found her
hiding in a bedroom closet in her Miami home.

Agents also seized several artworks at Ms Salazar's home, including a
painting by the artist Goya thought to be worth around $1m, and several
sculptures.

It is thought the art work may have been used as part of payment in the
alleged deal.

DEA agents said the indictments sent a powerful message to would-be
smugglers.

"Intercepting the flow of drugs and significant drug profits is a critical
issue of national security and a responsibility that we take very
seriously," said DEA Director Asa Hutchinson.