Colombian politicians use cocaine at work and the drug is being sold within the halls of Congress, the senate vice president was reported to have said, disclosing details of an investigation that uncovered serious security breaches.
"Biscuit sellers, shoe sellers, astrologers and marijuana and cocaine dealers all enter Congress," Senator Edgar Artunduaga said.
Artunduaga, however, refused to provide the names of lawmakers he said were using cocaine, despite pressure from some of his colleagues. He noted that it's legal in Colombia to possess small amounts of marijuana, cocaine or heroin for personal usage.
"But I will denounce the (drug) dealers to authorities," he said, describing some of them as "middle-ranking officials."
"Artunduaga should present evidence and say who are the lawmakers that use drugs, or resign," said Armando Benedetti, a pro-government deputy in the lower chamber.
"Speaking for myself, nobody has offered me any," Navarro, who is running for president in next year's elections, told Caracol radio.
Colombia is the world's biggest producer of cocaine. The United States has provided some USD 4 billion in mostly military aid to Colombia since 2000 to combat drug trafficking and leftist rebels that control much of the trade.
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