OFFICIALS RAISE A STINK OVER DRUG BUST SQUID

The largest cocaine seizure in U.S. maritime history has left federal
authorities struggling with what to do with tons of rotting squid.

The squid was seized along with 13 tons of cocaine that U.S. Navy and Coast
Guard officials found nearly two months ago in the Svedsa Maru, which was
intercepted about 1,500 miles south of San Diego.

Federal prosecutors claim the 10 Ukrainian and Russian seamen aboard were
bringing the drugs from Mexico to the United States. The crew is being held
in San Diego without bail on charges of conspiracy with intent to
distribute drugs on board a vessel, which carry a minimum of 10 years in
prison.

Defense attorneys contend the crew of the 152-foot fishing boat was fishing
and want the squid, which was used as bait, kept to prove their case.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia issued an order May 17 to have
the squid preserved.

Keeping the squid in temperatures of 40 degrees below zero has cost the
government $3,600 to date, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Gallo, who has
grown weary of the situation.

"We don't want it," Gallo said.