A voice in the wind-tunnel .... thanks Hector ....

21 Tons Of Cocaine Seized From Vessel
Posted Mar 21, 2007 by Clarisa Gerlach
Updated Mar 21, 2007 at 12:49 PM

By Elaine Silvestrini
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – The Tampa-based investigators of “Operation Panama Express” have broken their own record, with the Coast Guard’s seizure of more than 21 tons of cocaine off the coast of Panama.

The Coast Guard announced the seizure today in Washington, in a news release describing how the Coast Guard cutters Hamilton and Almeda intercepted a Panamanian-flagged vessel Gatun on Sunday.



Photo from Department of Homeland CONTROL





The vessel was spotted by a C-130 maritime patrol aircraft 20 miles southwest of Isla de Coiba, Panama, on Saturday. The guard then received consent from Panama to board the vessel. The boarding team found 42,845 pounds of cocaine hidden in two containers.

The 14 crew members from Panama and Mexico were arrested and are being taken to the U.S. and Panama for prosecution, according to the news release.

Authorities say the load was bound for Mexican drug traffickers.

“This operation is a prime example of interagency teamwork among the DEA, the Coast Guard, and other Homeland Security and Department of Justice components,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. (LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!) “I also want to commend the Government of Panama for their continued assistance and cooperation. Because of the combined efforts of these federal and international partners, millions of dollars in illegal drugs did not make their way into our homeland and criminal groups were not able reap the huge profits.”

DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy said, “This record-breaking seizure denied the Mexican drug lords $300 million in drug revenue. This lost drug revenue, combined with last week’s unrelated record-breaking $205 million cash seizure by the Government of Mexico working in partnership with DEA, dealt Mexican traffickers a one-two punch: they’re down more than half a billion dollars in blood money in just 48 hours.”

Previously, the largest cocaine seizure by the Coast Guard was 30,109 pounds from the stateless-vessel Lina Maria, on Sept. 17, 2004, a seizure that also resulted from “Operation Panama Express.”

The Lina Maria was intercepted a few days before investigators boarded the San Jose, carrying an estimated 12 tons of cocaine. Both the Lina Maria and the San Jose were intercepted near the Galapagos Islands.

One of the leading drug traffickers authorities say was behind those two shipments is expected to be extradited soon from Colombia to face trial in U.S. District Court in Tampa.

Wenceslao Caicedo-Mosquera, also known as W, was arrested March 25, 2005, in Ecuador in a joint operation of Panama Express investigators and agents working for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in that country.

In seven years, the multiagency task force has claimed credit for the seizure or destruction at sea of more than 600 tons of cocaine, with a street value of nearly $9 billion, in 173 maritime interdictions. The investigation has led to the arrest of more than 1,250 people, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph K. Ruddy, who said there has been a higher than 96 percent conviction rate.

Last Month, a federal judge sentenced Joaquin Mario Valencia-Trujillo to 40 years in prison, the maximum allowed under an extradition agreement with Colombia. Valencia, a former leader in the notorious Cali Cartel, was the most important capture for Panama Express investigators.

The drug trade has evolved from the days of the powerful cartels to more of a loose confederation of traffickers who work together when it suits their purposes but go it alone when necessary, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Roderick Huff has said.

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by Hector Rivera, Tampa on 03/21 at 02:57 PM

Great News, however try looking into the government and you will see that at the same time while this ship was going down double that load was entering thru another part of the region. You will never control the drugs coming into the US until you seize control of your own government. Later
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It's not the drugs that bother me as much as the selective busts and murders as one family kicks the ass of another to steal turf.

END PROHIBITION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's so stupid.