Posted on 04/08/2006 2:13:57 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
U.S. agents have found undeclared racehorses and cash on Venezuelan military aircraft and officers at U.S. airports.
Venezuelan military aircraft have been turning up with some surprising cargo in U.S. airports recently.
Federal authorities at Miami International Airport last week briefly detained six crew members of a Venezuelan Air Force C-130 cargo plane after finding $37,000 in cash aboard, U.S. officials said. In November, another Venezuelan C-130 landed in Puerto Rico with 12 undeclared racehorses.
In the Miami incident, officials said the crew was undergoing routine questioning March 30 after agents found two counterfeit $100 bills on two crew members when a further search revealed cash in several bags that totaled $37,000.
The crew members at first said the money was for official business, then claimed ''it was to go shopping,'' one official said, requesting anonymity because relations with Venezuela are a delicate matter.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Zachary Mann confirmed the incident but said he could provide no further details because the case remains under investigation. No criminal charges were filed and the crew and plane have returned to Venezuela. The crew or the Venezuelan government can request the money's return.
ROUTINE SEARCHES
U.S. officials said the searches were routine and that Venezuelan aircraft or officers are not being targeted because the country's left-wing president, Hugo Chávez, has been an outspoken critic of President Bush and U.S. policies.
Venezuela has strict limits on access to U.S. dollars, which forces many of its people going abroad to carry cash. U.S. laws require anyone entering or leaving the country to report to U.S. Customs and Border Protection if they are carrying more than $10,000.
In a third incident, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at MIA on Tuesday detained Venezuelan Capt. Alberto Ramón Soto Camaute, 31, after he failed to declare $21,190.72 when he arrived on a commercial flight from Caracas.
Barbara Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said Soto Camaute was charged with making false statements, failure to declare the cash and not complying with reporting requirements.
It is not uncommon for foreign military aircraft to land in Miami for repairs, to transport dignitaries or pick up cargo bought by their governments.
But U.S. officials say there's concern that the Venezuelans seem to be making a habit of using military aircraft for nonmilitary purposes.
HORSE CLASSIC
On Nov. 5, a Venezuelan C-130 landed in Puerto Rico with 12 undeclared racehorses, plus 13 trunks of horse equipment and veterinary supplies, to take part in the Caribbean International Classic, Latin America's richest horse race.
The plane also carried nine civilian passengers and 11 crew members. The animals were quarantined and then released, and Venezuela was fined $5,000. The Venezuelan embassy in Washington declined comment.
Miami Herald Staff Writer Alfonso Chardy contributed to this report.
Counterfeit bills? I hope Hugo isnt getting in the sack with Kim Jong-Il..
I thought foreign military vessels were foreign territory.
I thought that was the Iranian mullahs' racket.
I guess they are unil they land on our territory.
It's probably just what Hugo wanted us to do.
_____________________________________________________
VENEZUELA
U.S. protests car attack
BY GEORGE GEDDA
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - The State Department accused Caracas city officials of complicity Friday in an attack on the car of U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield in the Venezuelan capital.
Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns summoned Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez and reminded him of an international treaty that requires host countries to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats, department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
The incident ''clearly was condoned by the local government,'' McCormack said.
Brownfield's car was pelted with fruit and vegetables, and motorcyclists chased the convoy, at times pummeling the vehicles with their fists.
McCormack said local officials were handing out snacks to the perpetrators as Brownfield took part in a ceremony at a Caracas stadium. The event included a gift of baseball gear to children. McCormack said it was the fourth government-sponsored attempt to intimidate U.S. diplomats in Venezuela, three having occurred in the past three weeks.
''We will not be intimidated,'' McCormack said.
McCormack said Burns warned Alvarez that there will be ''severe diplomatic consequences between our countries'' if there is another incident.
Venezuela's socialist president, Hugo Chávez, has accused the United States of planning an invasion and said Washington was behind a failed coup attempt in 2002.
The Bush administration has denied the allegations while charging that Chávez is dismantling Venezuelan democracy and using oil revenues to buy political influence in Latin America.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/americas/14295016.htm
In additon to counterfeiting currency, there is speculation that he manufactures drugs as well. Recall the case of the DPRK flagged trawler caught by the Aussies with large amounts of heroin on board..
We let these people land on our soil??
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