Father Arrested in Case of Colombian Child Drug Mule

W460

A Colombian father was arrested Friday on suspicion of forcing his 11-year-old daughter to swallow 104 cocaine-filled capsules and trying to use her as a drugs mule.

On the run since the girl was hospitalized last week, Diego Fernando Mancilla Aguilar was sought on charges of attempted murder, using a minor to commit a crime and for drug trafficking, prosecutors said.

He was arrested in a country house about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from his hometown of Cali, in western Colombia. 

Authorities had offered a reward of more than $9,000 -- more than 30 times Colombia's minimum monthly wage -- for the man's capture. 

Last weekend, the girl complained of pain when she returned to her mother's house after spending time with her father. 

Doctors found that she had 500-600 grams (about 18 ounces) of cocaine inside her.

According to authorities, the girl was supposed to have flown to Europe -- probably Spain -- with the capsules in her body.

Along with Peru, Colombia is one of the world's largest producers of cocaine.

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