Argentina crematorium burns Russian cocaine haul

Russian Ambassador Dmitry Feoktistov at incineration of cocaine, 21 Aug 18 Symbol copyright PA Image caption Russian Ambassador Dmitry Feoktistov threw some packs of cocaine into the oven

Russia and Argentina have used a crematorium in Buenos Aires to burn 389kg (858 kilos) of cocaine seized in a medicine bust at the Russian embassy.

The general haul of cocaine destroyed was once expected to be worth €80m (£72m; $93m).

A former embassy caretaker and an Argentine policeman are among six other folks held in both countries.

The burning marks the end of an extended-working police operation that wouldn’t shame a criminal offense best possible-seller.

The Powder Plot

In 2016, the ex Russian ambassador alerted Argentine officials to twelve suitcases discovered hidden in an embassy annex. the problem? They had been packed full of medication.

Image copyright PA Symbol caption Minister Patricia Bullrich (C) with Ambassador Feoktistov

The alleged ringleader of the smuggling gang is Andrei Kovalchuk, who was once arrested in Germany and extradited to Russia in July.

Russian media title the opposite accused Russians as Vladimir Kalmykov, Ishtimir Khudzhamov, and Ali Abyanov.

Authorities suspect that Mr Kovalchuk hired Mr Abyanov to retailer the cocaine cargo within the college hooked up to the embassy, and to organise its switch to Russia. on the time Mr Abyanov was once the embassy’s caretaker.

Symbol copyright AFP Image caption In February Argentine police displayed the suitcases and the cocaine present in them

Russia’s RBC information web page says Mr Kalmykov and Mr Khudzhamov were arrested once they got here to assemble the instances at a Russian international ministry warehouse.

The suspects have known as the police operation a “provocation”, and feature said they had been trying to export speciality coffee from Argentina.

Symbol copyright Getty Pictures Image caption A Moscow court’s video reveal presentations two of the accused – Vladimir Kalmykov (L) and Ishtimir Khudzhamov

Two Russians with Argentine citizenship are beneath arrest in Argentina – Alexander Chikalo, and a senior Buenos Aires policeman, Ivan Blizniouk.

The policeman is suspected of getting pulled rank at the airport, permitting the circumstances to be loaded onto a Russian plane with out customs checks.

Ms Bullrich praised the “unbelievable” security co-operation with Russia, announcing it were a “very complicated operation” and “Russian cops came right here seven times”.

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What makes Russia ’s new secret agent ship Yantar different? Russia and Argentina in power offers Image copyright AFP Symbol caption Argentina says it was once a long, painstaking investigation with Russian colleagues

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