Spanish police have arrested two people and searched several homes in Madrid as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering linked to the Venezuelan government, Spain's Supreme Court said, quoted by Reuters.
The operation was carried out at the request of investigating judge Joaquin Gadea as part of an investigation he is conducting in cooperation with the authorities in Portugal and the United States, the court said, quoted by BTA.
Suspects linked to the Venezuelan government are being investigated for alleged money laundering, international bribery and criminal conspiracy.
Police carried out four searches, including at homes in the capital's upmarket Salamanca district and in the Finca district on the outskirts of Madrid.
The investigation is aimed at the family of Venezuelan tycoon Roberto Rincón, the “Confidential“ newspaper reported. citing familiar sources.
Rincon was charged in the US with conspiring and paying bribes to officials at the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.
In 2016, he pleaded guilty in federal court in Houston, Texas, to his role in a business scheme involving large bribes in exchange for energy contracts from PDVSA.
Venezuela Attorney General Tarek Saab said on social media later yesterday that his office is investigating Roberto Rincon, Jose Rincon, Ricardo Rincon and Alexandra Rincon for bribery, among other alleged crimes.
Warrants have been issued for their arrest and requests for extradition, Saab announced in “X“.