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Alitalia pilot caught smuggling cocaine from Venezuela, report
Mar 15, 2007, 12:23 GMT
Milan - An Alitalia pilot has been sacked after being caught smuggling cocaine out of Venezuela by hiding the illegal drug inside the aeroplane's cockpit, Corriere della Sera reported Thursday.
According to the Milan-based daily, the pilot flew Alitalia planes from Caracas to Milan's Malpensa airport and took advantage of the fact that few controls are carried out inside the plane.
He was found out when a colleague opened a glove compartment and discovered 1.8 kilos of cocaine inside it.
The pilot, who has not been named, now faces charges of international drugs smuggling. He has admitted using cocaine and has defended himself by saying the drug was for personal use only.
In a statement, Alitalia said his passengers' safety had never been placed at risk, noting that three pilots are used during intercontinental flights.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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