NCJ Number
57459
Journal
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Volume: 50 Issue: 15 Dated: (APRIL 9, 1979) Pages: 28-30,33
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
DRUG SMUGGLING BY OFFSHORE POWERBOAT RACERS AND COUNTERMEASURES BY THE U.S. COAST GUARD, CUSTOMS SERVICE, AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
RECOGNIZING THAT THERE IS MORE MONEY TO BE MADE IN DRUGS THAN IN RACING TROPHIES, SOME OWNERS OF POWERFUL OFFSHORE RACING BOATS ARE USING THEIR CRAFTS TO BRING MARIJUANA ASHORE. DRUG RUNNERS BEGAN THEIR OPERATIONS WITH HIGH-PERFORMANCE BOATS AND LATER SHIFTED TO SLOWER BUT LESS CONSPICUOUS VESSELS (SHRIMPERS, TRAWLERS, SPORT FISHING BOATS, ETC.). BUT THE SWING IS BACK TO OCEAN RACERS. OF 140 BOATS SEIZED BY CUSTOMS OFFICIALS IN MIAMI, FLA. ABOUT 20 WERE OFFSHORE RACING POWERBOATS. IT IS POSSIBLE TO PUT TOGETHER A TOP-NOTCH DRUG-RUNNING BOAT FOR UNDER $65,000, AND DRUG SMUGGLERS HAVE NO PROBLEM FINANCING SUCH CRAFT OR REPLACING THEM WHEN THEY ARE SEIZED. ONE 40-FOOT RACING BOAT, SHELLED OUT FOR SPECIAL DUTY, CARRIED 7,000 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA AND YET WAS TRACKED AT SPEEDS OF 60 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST DRUG RUNNERS IS THE COAST GUARD, WHICH CONCENTRATES ON THE SLOWER 'MOTHER SHIPS' RATHER THAN CHASING THE OFFSHORE RACERS. UNTIL RECENTLY THE CUSTOMS SERVICE AUCTIONED OFF CONFISCATED OCEAN RACERS FOR LOW PRICES. BUT NOW THE CUSTOMS MARINE UNIT USES SOME OF THE CONFISCATED BOATS TO CHASE SMUGGLERS. (LKM)