U.S. NAVY SEIZES BOAT WITH 6 TONS OF COCAINE

In one of the largest single Colombian cocaine seizures, a U.S. Navy
ship intercepted a fishing boat in the Pacific Ocean laden with six
tons of cocaine, officials said yesterday. Colombian Navy chief Adm.
Sergio Garcia said the Colombian-flagged vessel named Rebel was seized
in international waters Wednesday, 1,530 miles northwest of the South
American country's port of Buenaventura.

The 66-foot vessel and its seven-member Colombian crew left the
Pacific port on Jan. 22 with the "approximately six tons" of cocaine
hidden in its fuel compartment, Garcia said.

Garcia attributed the seizure to enhanced anti-narcotics cooperation
under a maritime agreement between the United States and Colombia. He
said the Colombians aboard would be taken to the United States to face
charges.