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Colombian drugs money case fails Colombian drugs money case fails
(about 19 hours later)
The trial of 147 Colombian soldiers accused of stealing $20m (£10m) in guerrilla drug money has collapsed.The trial of 147 Colombian soldiers accused of stealing $20m (£10m) in guerrilla drug money has collapsed.
While 99 of the troops were being tried in their absence, the remainder were freed after irregularities in the legal process were discovered.While 99 of the troops were being tried in their absence, the remainder were freed after irregularities in the legal process were discovered.
All were allegedly on patrol in 2003 in the rebel-dominated southern jungles, where they stumbled across the proceeds of rebel drug deals and kidnap ransoms.All were allegedly on patrol in 2003 in the rebel-dominated southern jungles, where they stumbled across the proceeds of rebel drug deals and kidnap ransoms.
Colombian authorities said they would re-present the case.Colombian authorities said they would re-present the case.
The BBC's Jeremy Mc Dermott in Medellin it remains to be seen if those freed will deliver themselves back into the hands of the justice system.The BBC's Jeremy Mc Dermott in Medellin it remains to be seen if those freed will deliver themselves back into the hands of the justice system.
In 2003 troops from an elite counter-guerrilla company found what found $16m (£8.4) packed in plastic bags during an operation in a deserted rebel camp. In 2003 troops from an elite counter-guerrilla company found plastic bags stuffed with money during an operation in a deserted rebel camp.
The soldiers allegedly emptied their rucksacks, filling them with bundles of notes.The soldiers allegedly emptied their rucksacks, filling them with bundles of notes.
Once the unit returned to barracks many deserted.Once the unit returned to barracks many deserted.