Convent janitor arrested in drug probe

[Judi Lynn]

Convent janitor arrested in drug probe
Published: May 12, 2010 at 2:10 PM

MILAN, Italy, May 12 (UPI) -- A former janitor at an Italian convent is accused of organizing visits to the location by South American drug smugglers disguised as pilgrims.

Authorities said the janitor, a South American man whose name was not released, was one of 33 people arrested in the northern part of the country Wednesday as part of a major offensive against drug trafficking, the Italian news agency ANSA reported Wednesday.

Investigators said the Milan janitor, who allegedly has connections to Colombian drug cartels and the European Calabrian 'Ndrangheta mafia, organized trips to Italian holy sites for South American drug traffickers posing as pilgrims while hiding cocaine in prayer books and other items.

The janitor allegedly arranged for the drugs to be taken to a house near Bergamo, where cocaine was refined, cut and sent off to major cities for distribution.

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/05/12/Convent-janitor-arrested-in-drug-probe/UPI-45731273687840/