Alex Nain Saab Moran, a Colombian businessman charged by U.S. authorities as a dealmaker for Nicolas Maduro’s regime in Venezuela, was detained in Cabo Verde, Africa on Friday, according to his lawyer.
Indicted last July on federal money-laundering charges, Saab was accused of bribing Venezuelan officials and funneling more than $350 million to overseas accounts as part of a food program intended to serve those going hungry in Venezuela. Saab’s Miami-based lawyer, Maria Dominguez, declined to comment on the charges for which he was detained or to add further details.
More recently, Saab is suspected of helping Maduro orchestrate a swap with Iran as part of a broader assistance plan that has brought over oil, workers and supplies in exchange for about 9 tons of gold, worth $500 million. Last month, Saab’s lawyer denied any participation in the events, saying his client was a “food business entrepreneur.”
