A Mount Forest woman accused as the ringleader in an alleged plot to smuggle the son of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi into Mexico has had her detention in that country extended another 40 days.
Cynthia Vanier’s lawyer and family members reported to various media outlets last week that she will be held in Mexico City until Jan. 31.
Vanier, a mediator with Vanier Consulting Ltd. in Mount Forest, was originally arrested on Nov. 10 along with two Mexicans and a Danish man.
All three are being held without charge under Mexico’s “preventative detention” laws, accused of attempting to smuggle Saadi Gaddafi into Mexico. Mexican authorities said the alleged plot included fake travel documents and false identities.
John Babcock, a spokesman for Canada’s minister of state of foreign affairs, recently told the National Post that Canadian consular officials in Mexico and Canada are providing assistance to Vanier and her family.
“Our officials at the Embassy of Canada in Mexico City are in contact with local authorities and are closely monitoring the situation,” he said.
Vanier’s lawyer and several people with personal or professional connections to the 52-year-old mother of two have called the allegations ridiculous.
