Nanny of Venezuelan ex-minister arrested in Brazil

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian police say they arrested a nanny employed by Venezuela’s former foreign minister as she tried to enter the country with a loaded .38 caliber revolver inside a briefcase.

A federal police officer said Saturday the woman was arrested Friday at Sao Paulo’s International Airport after arriving on a plane owned by Venezuela’s state oil company. He said she told officials that the briefcase and revolver belonged to Elias Jaua.

Jaua arrived in Brazil one day earlier with his wife and son.

The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

The woman’s name was not released. She could face up to eight years in prison for arms trafficking.

Calls to the Venezuela embassy and consulate went unanswered on Saturday.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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