BOAT SEIZURES NET 5 TONS OF COCAINE, 14 ARRESTS

TAMPA -- One of the nation's largest drug investigations netted 14 suspects
in two boat seizures off Central America, the U.S. attorney's office
announced Monday.

The arrests, linked with Operation Panama Express, include 10 people on a
Guatemalan fishing boat Oct. 25 and four Colombians on a speedboat Oct. 29.

Suspects on the fishing boat threw more than 3 tons of cocaine overboard as
a Coast Guard vessel approached, a news release said.

The speedboat was set on fire, but 2 tons of cocaine was seized.
Indictments unsealed Monday charge the group with conspiracy to possess
with intent to distribute cocaine.

Operation Panama Express targets the Cali drug cartel and has seized more
than 140 tons of cocaine in less than three years.