Several members of the Colombian air force have been arrested in Bogota after cocaine was discovered stashed in a military transport plane.

They are the first arrests in the case, which has also seen the resignation of the head of Colombia's air force.

Cocaine found by sniffer dogs

The Colombian air force plane was found to be carrying at least 600kg of cocaine when it landed in Florida.

The arrests include the security chief of the air force base in Bogota, although no formal charges were immediately filed.

Allegations of a drug trafficking cartel within the Colombian air force arose two years ago when then President Ernesto Samper arrived in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

His presidential jet was discovered to have 4kg of heroin concealed in the nose cone.

General's resignation

On Monday, just a week after three members of the air force were sentenced in that case, a C-130 Hercules transport plane arrived in Fort Lauderdale for repairs and was searched by US customs authorities.

Using drug sniffer dogs, officials found more than half-a-ton of cocaine in about 700 bags.

In the wake of the scandal the head of the air force, General Jose Manuel Sandoval, offered his resignation, which Colombia's new President, Andres Pastrana, accepted.

General Sandoval denied the existence of a blue cartel, referring to the sky blue uniform of the Colombian air force.

He did admit that criminal elements were operating within the force but claimed that the corruption was not at an institutional level.