Guinea-Bissau drugs plane seized

Guinea-Bissau police say they have arrested the head of air traffic control at the country's main airport after seizing a plane carrying cocaine.

Reports said there was a standoff at the airport when soldiers tried to stop police searching the aircraft, said to contain 500kg (1,102lb) of the drug.

The plane's three-man Venezuelan crew was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of smuggling cocaine.

The army of the West African state has denied involvement in drugs smuggling.

Correspondents say Guinea-Bissau is a major hub for drugs gangs moving cocaine from Latin America to Europe.

Bribery

Last month the United Nations warned that smugglers were operating there with almost total impunity, aided by rampant corruption.

It is estimated that the volume of cocaine moved through Guinea-Bissau in 2007 was worth more than its entire national income.

Other West African countries are also being affected as traffickers seek new routes to smuggle South American cocaine into Europe.

Police forces in the region lack the resources to combat powerful and well-organised drugs gangs, and there are often huge bribes on offer to officials.