Argentina ex-minister caught hiding cash in monastery

Argentine police arrested a former government minister when they caught him trying to hide millions of dollars in cash and jewels at a monastery, officials have said.

Jose Lopez, 55, served as deputy minister for public works for 12 years under the country's two last presidents and was already facing corruption charges.

He was caught throwing suitcases over a wall into the garden of an old monastery now inhabited by nuns, Buenos Aires district security minister Cristian Ritondo told reporters on Tuesday.

One case contained jewellery, euros, yen, dollars and Qatari currency worth more than $8m in total.