'Cash-laden' Brazil MP detained

The money was found stuffed into seven suitcases, police says

Brazilian police have detained an opposition MP after finding about six million Reals ($2.6m) in suitcases.

Joao Batista Ramos da Silva was held with six other people as he prepared to leave the airport in the capital, Brasilia, on a private plane.

The deputy from the Liberal Front Party - who was due to fly to the city of Goiania - has not been charged.

He is also a bishop for an evangelical church, and is quoted as saying the money was worshippers' contributions.

The money had been found stuffed into seven suitcases, police said.

"No-one has been arrested and no charges have been filed," a federal police spokeswoman was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.

She said Mr da Silva and the other six people were "being questioned at police headquarters in an effort to determine the origin of the money".

Mr da Silva is one of the deputies representing the state of Sao Paulo in the lower house.

The incident comes amid mounting allegations of corruption against senior members of the governing Workers' Party - three of whom have been forced to resign.

Repeatedly over the past month, the Workers' Party has denied allegations that it paid bribes to lawmakers in return for parliamentary support.

But it has since been forced to admit to financial dealings with an advertising executive now at the centre of the police investigation.