Fri Nov 7, 4:29 PM ET
CARACAS (AFP) - Military uniforms, explosives and weaponry seized in three caches are part of a coup plot, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said.
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"This forms part of the coup's infrastructure," Rangel said.
"Found were camouflaged uniforms, rifles, cartridges, C-4 (explosive) and a large amount of cash," worth 125,000 dollars, Rangel said over the state-run television network.
Local press reported that five people were arrested, including a Colombian.
El Nuevo Pais reported that authorities also seized grenades, FAL automatic rifles, bullets, tear gas, 100 uniforms and other military equipment. The daily also said the Colombian's name was Edgard Oswaldo Mora Castaneda, 30, who was carrying a fake identity card.
Residences were searched in Catia La Mar, on the coast, 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Caracas.
Another search at a home in Maracay 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of Caracas yielded 11 torpedos and more uniforms.
La Raiza apartment complex in Ocumare del Tuy, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) outside Caracas was also searched, yielding a rifle.
The head of police forensics told the daily that the raids were part of an investigation of a robbery at Sucre airbase in Maracay two weeks ago.
The Caracas daily said that Colombia's secret police, DAS, were participating in the investigation.
President Hugo Chavez and his backers claim that there were plans to destabilize the country between November 28 and December 2, when opposition leaders are to collect signatures needed to hold a binding referendum on Chavez's term in office.
The recall was meant to put an end to sporadic violence aiming at toppling Chavez as well as the often-violent responses of Chavez supporters.
The government has claimed that the US Central Intelligence Agency (news - web sites) was behind some of the plots.
Chavez was removed from office for less than 48 hours in April 2002.
