Central Bureau of Investigation achieved a major success when the Interpol office in Argentina detained controversial businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi at Igazu international airport in the Argentinian province of Misiones.

Quattrocchi was detained while in transit to Buenos Aires. He was later taken for questioning by local authorities.

CBI had issued a red corner alert against Quattrocchi in Feburary 1997. Quattrocchi is an accused in the Bofors pay off case, and has been evading arrest for the last 14 years.

"This is a major breakthrough for us," said a top CBI official.

The investigating agency confirmed the identity and arrest of Quattrocchi through a press note late on Friday evening.

In the absence of extradition treaty between India and Argentina, CBI is seeking help of the Ministry of External Affairs to bring Quattrocchi to India.

Though CBI was informed of the arrest of Quattrocchi on Feburary 6, it was kept under wraps until the Argentine police confirmed the identity of the wanted man.

Quattrocchi, who is related to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, has allegedly received 3 per cent of the money paid by Bofors for the contract to sell howitzers to the Indian Army.

Interestingly, Quattrocchi's arrest has come at a time when Sonia is at the helm of affairs in India and is virtually ruling the country.