Father Arrested in Case of Colombian Child Drug Mule
A Colombian father was arrested Friday on suspicion of forcing his 11-year-old daughter to swallow 104 cocaine-filled capsules and trying to use her as a drugs mule.
On the run since the girl was hospitalized last week, Diego Fernando Mancilla Aguilar was sought on charges of attempted murder, using a minor to commit a crime and for drug trafficking, prosecutors said.
He was arrested in a country house about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from his hometown of Cali, in western Colombia.
Authorities had offered a reward of more than $9,000 -- more than 30 times Colombia's minimum monthly wage -- for the man's capture.
Last weekend, the girl complained of pain when she returned to her mother's house after spending time with her father.
Doctors found that she had 500-600 grams (about 18 ounces) of cocaine inside her.
According to authorities, the girl was supposed to have flown to Europe -- probably Spain -- with the capsules in her body.
Along with Peru, Colombia is one of the world's largest producers of cocaine.
Source: Agence France Presse
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