Police detain 6 in massive cocaine bust at Paris airport

French police have detained six people and are cooperating with several nations to track down members of the gang behind an attempt to smuggle 1.3 tonnes of cocaine through the main Charles de Gaulle airport earlier this month, Interior Ministry sources said. The drug bust, the largest ever on French territory, was announced Saturday by Interior Minister Manuel Valls but it is known to have taken place as early as September 11 and was kept secret to allow the follow-up investigation and arrests, airline sources said. All those being questioned in the case are foreigners. France has now seized around four tonnes of cocaine in police operations since the beginning of the year, according to statements by Valls. French anti-drug squads were working with several European nations to track members of the network that was believed to be trying to deliver the drugs to the Italian Mafia, known as the "Camora." That criminal gang is normally headquartered in Naples, but it operates much more widely in Italy and beyond. The drugs were valued at USD 270 million but could have a much higher street-value or several times that amount once they reach retail distribution. The cocaine was found in a number of suitcases aboard an Air France flight that arrived from Caracas, Venezuela some two weeks ago. The Interior Ministry reported that about thirty suitcases with fictitious name-tags were spotted and controlled and were found to be packed with cocaine. An investigation is also underway to find any accomplices working at the Charles de Gaulle airport. Venezuela, on its side, announced three arrests of security officials for a possible link with the drug-running operation