DEA agent kills suspected trafficker in Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent has shot and killed a suspected drug trafficker during a raid in a remote northern area of Honduras known as a landing spot for illicit flights carrying cocaine from South America, U.S. officials said Sunday.

It is the first time a DEA agent has killed someone during an operation since the agency began deploying specially trained agents several years ago to accompany local law enforcement personnel on drug raids in Latin America.

Several people were unloading cocaine from an airplane at a remote landing strip when the law enforcement agents swooped in on helicopters. The U.S. agent opened fire after the suspect reached for a gun in a holster, and the suspect died at the scene. Three of the men arrested were part of the ground crew, and the fourth was piloting the small plane loaded with cocaine.

He said their nationalities are not yet clear.