Venezuelan drug labs destroyed

Venezuela's National Guard has destroyed an elaborate network of clandestine cocaine-processing laboratories along the country's 2300km border with Colombia as part of its anti-drug efforts.

Troops armed with assault rifles secured the area in the western state of Zulia before explosives were used to demolish the labs.

Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer.

Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami said a day before the operation that troops seized 420kg of cocaine and coca paste.