Bolivia president’s inaugural priest nabbed in liquid cocaine bust

Bolivia coke bust nabs pres’ inaugural priest

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Bolivian authorities say an Aymara priest who inaugurated President Evo Morales has been arrested in a bust that netted 530 pounds (240 kilograms) of liquid cocaine.

Col. Felix Molina directs Bolivia’s anti-narcotics force. He says 55-year-old spiritual leader Valentin Mejillones was arrested in a raid on his home Tuesday along with his son and a Colombian couple who were not identified.

Mejillones swore Morales into his second term as president in January in an Andean ritual at the country’s largest archaeological temple.

Mejillones told local news media after he was detained that he was tricked by the couple, who told him they were making herbal pills and ointments. The smell of chemicals caused neighbors to alert police.