Ex-Guatemala vice president’s properties raided amid scandal

Protesters yell outside the National Palace during a protest demanding the resignation Guatemala’s President Otto Perez Molina in Guatemala City, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Protesters are demanding the president step down after his Vice President Roxana Baldetti resigned earlier this month amid a corruption scandal. (AP Photo/Luis Soto)

GUATEMALA CITY — Authorities in Guatemala have raided properties linked to former Vice President Roxana Baldetti, who resigned amid a customs corruption scandal that implicated her former private secretary.

Guatemala’s Public Ministry says prosecutors and members of a U.N. commission formed to investigate criminal networks have searched at least 14 properties, including houses and businesses, in recent days.

Attorney General Thelma Aldana said Thursday that computers and documents were seized and will be analyzed as part of the investigation into the alleged bribery scheme in which officials took cash to charge lower import duty fees.

A string of scandals has led to protests and calls for President Otto Perez Molina’s resignation.

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The largest is the multimillion-dollar customs scheme whose alleged mastermind was Baldetti private secretary. Baldetti has not been charged and denies involvement.