Buenos Aires: A former Colombian beauty queen suspected of leading a band of young women who smuggled cocaine from Argentina to Europe was arrested on Wednesday in Argentina, a judicial source said.
Police arrested Angie Sanclemente Valencia, 31, at a youth hostel in Buenos Aires, the source told Reuters, asking not to be named because the investigation is ongoing.
The ex-model and actress won one of Colombia's top beauty pageants in 2000 but was later dethroned after it was revealed she had lied about being single.
She vanished several months ago amid an investigation by Argentine authorities into accusations she headed up a group of women who transported cocaine on flights from Buenos Aires to Europe via Mexico.
Colombia is the world's No. 1 cocaine producer.
Authorities say Valencia employed young, attractive women who reportedly often traveled first class to smuggle the drugs.
She has repeatedly denied the charges. Her lawyer has said Valencia refused to turn herself in out of fear she could be abused in jail.
