CARACAS: Venezuela voiced concerns Sunday about France's probe of a huge cocaine haul from an Air France flight from Caracas, complaining over "worrisome" facts in the case.
About 1.3 tonnes of cocaine were found aboard an Air France jet that departed from Simon Bolivar International Airport outside Caracas on September 11 and landed in Paris.
At least 28 people have been detained in the case, including eight members of Venezuela's National Guard, various airport officials and an Air France employee.
French authorities seized the shipment, the largest bust ever on French soil.
However, national antidrug office director Alejandro Keleris cast doubt over French authorities' claims about the circumstances surrounding the find.
"It seems quite strange to me that 10 days went by after the plane landed in France before the drugs appeared, and then they were 32.9 kilometers (20 miles) from Charles de Gaulle (airport), where one would think that there is security," he told Televen television.
French officials made the announcement September 21 in Nanterre, saying the seizure took place at a Paris airport terminal.
Keleris said French authorities' conduct in the case, including how the drugs apparently made it through customs, was "worrisome," though he acknowledged cooperation from Paris.
Venezuela has asked French authorities for answers on several points, and is still awaiting replies, he added.
Asked if US authorities could have planted the drugs in cooperation with French authorities, Keleris said "we could not rule that out."
Venezuela's revolutionary socialist government is a staunch critic of the United States. Washington has strained ties with Caracas but remains a major oil buyer.
Last month, President Nicolas Maduro said Venezuela was looking into any possible US Drug Enforcement Administration in the Air France flight case.
Venezuela is said to be a transit point for South American cocaine flowing to Europe and the United States.
About 1.3 tonnes of cocaine were found aboard an Air France jet that departed from Simon Bolivar International Airport outside Caracas on September 11 and landed in Paris.
At least 28 people have been detained in the case, including eight members of Venezuela's National Guard, various airport officials and an Air France employee.
French authorities seized the shipment, the largest bust ever on French soil.
However, national antidrug office director Alejandro Keleris cast doubt over French authorities' claims about the circumstances surrounding the find.
"It seems quite strange to me that 10 days went by after the plane landed in France before the drugs appeared, and then they were 32.9 kilometers (20 miles) from Charles de Gaulle (airport), where one would think that there is security," he told Televen television.
French officials made the announcement September 21 in Nanterre, saying the seizure took place at a Paris airport terminal.
Keleris said French authorities' conduct in the case, including how the drugs apparently made it through customs, was "worrisome," though he acknowledged cooperation from Paris.
Venezuela has asked French authorities for answers on several points, and is still awaiting replies, he added.
Asked if US authorities could have planted the drugs in cooperation with French authorities, Keleris said "we could not rule that out."
Venezuela's revolutionary socialist government is a staunch critic of the United States. Washington has strained ties with Caracas but remains a major oil buyer.
Last month, President Nicolas Maduro said Venezuela was looking into any possible US Drug Enforcement Administration in the Air France flight case.
Venezuela is said to be a transit point for South American cocaine flowing to Europe and the United States.
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