Top tax collection official detained in Venezuela in alleged corruption case

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela's president has announced the arrest of a top official at the country's tax collection agency.

President Nicolas Maduro says the unnamed official was detained Wednesday night. He adds that the person's "luxurious" apartment in eastern Caracas was searched, and about $630,000 worth in the local currency seized.

Maduro called the official "corrupt" and "a thief."

He said Thursday during a visit to the western state of Lara that he is determined to wage war against graft.