British Pensioner Arrested in Chile with £200K Methamphetamine Haul

A 79-year-old British pensioner was arrested at Santiago Airport in Chile for attempting to smuggle approximately five kilograms of methamphetamine, worth around £200,000 on local streets. The drugs were found hidden in a secret compartment within his suitcase after a scanner detected a suspicious substance. The man had arrived from Cancun, Mexico, and was due to fly to Sydney, Australia, after spending a night in Santiago. Airport police chief Sergio Paredes stated it was the man's first entry into Chile and that he had received the suitcase from Mexican nationals at Cancun airport. Authorities are investigating whether the drugs were intended for consumption in Chile or to be transported to Australia. The pensioner was remanded in custody pending trial, with a 120-day investigation period set to determine the full circumstances.