Security troops bust a shipment of 1.4 metric tonnes of cocaine hidden in a cargo lorry that arrived from Colombia.

Venezuelan National Guard troops have seized a shipment of 1.4 metric tonnes of cocaine stashed in a compartment in

a cargo lorry.

Nestor Reverol, justice minister, announced Sunday’s bust on television, saying the lorry was stopped at a checkpoint in western Lara state. He says the cocaine came from neighbouring Colombia and the Venezuelan driver was arrested.

Officials showed the truck with its side cut open to reveal a compartment behind the cab where the cocaine was hidden.

Venezuela has been a major route for cocaine trafficking in recent years.

US and Colombian officials have said a majority of northbound smuggling flights originate in the country.

Reverol said the bust is one of many that have shown his government’s commitment to combatting the flow of drugs.