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Two detained in Spain cash laundering probe connected to Venezuelan federal government

Spanish police have detained two individuals and robbed a number of homes in Madrid as part of an investigation into believed cash laundering linked to the Venezuelan government, Spain's High Court said on Friday.

The operation was carried out at the request of examining judge Joaquin Gadea as part of a probe he is carrying out in cooperation with authorities in Portugal and the United States, according to the court.

The court said it was examining suspects connected to the Venezuelan federal government for alleged crimes of cash laundering, worldwide bribery and criminal association.

The names of those detained on Friday will not be revealed due to the fact that the case is being concealed, it included.

Cops carried out four searches, including homes in the capital's upmarket Salamanca district and the unique La Finca location on the outskirts of Madrid.

The examination is concentrated on the household of Venezuelan tycoon Roberto Rincon, newspaper El Confidencial reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Rincon was charged in the U.S. with conspiracy and paying allurements to officials at Venezuela's state-run oil business PDVSA.

In 2016, he pleaded guilty in federal court in Houston, Texas, for his function in a company plan including big kickbacks in exchange for energy agreements from PDVSA.

Venezuela's attorney general Tarek Saab said on social media later on Friday that his office is conducting examinations into Roberto Rincon, Jose Rincon, Ricardo Rincon and Alexandra Rincon for bribery, to name a few alleged criminal activities.

There are arrest warrants and extradition requests out for them, Saab said on X.

PDVSA did not right away react to a request for comment.