Mexicans seize huge cocaine haul

General Carlos Gaytan said the Mexicans were tipped off

Mexican officials say they have seized five-and-a-half tonnes of cocaine from a commercial aircraft that landed after flying from Venezuela.

The drugs are said to have a potential street value of up to $100m (£57m).

The cocaine was reportedly packed in more than 100 suitcases marked "private". Three people were arrested.

Mexican officials say that cocaine is increasingly being imported from Colombia via Venezuela, with the US being the ultimate destination.

In this case the army was waiting for the plane as it landed at the airport of Ciudad de Carmen, 880km (550 miles) east of Mexico City, after being tipped off by Venezuelan authorities, said Mexican General Carlos Gaytan.

The co-pilot of the aircraft was arrested. The pilot and co-pilot of another plane, which was believed to be ready to take the cocaine on to the next location, were also detained.

A US report in March said Venezuela has become a key transit point for drugs because of "rampant corruption at the highest levels of law enforcement and a weak judicial system".

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ended co-operation with the US Drug Enforcement Agency, accusing it of spying.