The Colombian authorities say a joint operation with the United States has broken-up a drugs smuggling ring, and led to the arrest of thirty-three people.

The head of the Colombian security service, Colonel German Jaramillo, said twenty-nine Colombians and a US citizen were arrested in the United States, and three people were detained in Colombia.

He said the drugs ring, which is believed to have sold tonnes of cocaine in several American cities, was thought to have complete control of the business, from buying the drugs in Colombia, to selling them in the US. One-and-a-half tonnes of cocaine were seized during the operation, as well as eight-hundred thousand dollars.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service