COCAINE SEIZED IN SHIPMENT OF FISH AT MIAMI AIRPORT

MIAMI - Nearly 3,000 pounds of cocaine was discovered hidden in a shipment
of fish filets from Ecuador, and U.S. Customs officials say it may be
another inside smuggling job at Miami International Airport.

The Arrow Air cargo flight landed early Monday morning from Guayaquil,
Ecuador, carrying 2,720 pounds of cocaine. The drug was wrapped neatly in
dozens of green and yellow waxed paper packages, hidden beneath iced filets
of grouper and tuna. It showed up in an X-ray during a routine Customs
inspection.

``We have reasons to believe people at the airport may have been involved,''
said John Clark, acting special agent in charge with the U.S. Customs service.

``With that much cocaine and nobody coming to claim it, especially at that
hour, it indicates to us that whoever is involved knew about the seizure.''

Clark said merchants who are expecting perishable items, such as fish or
flowers, usually make prompt pickups.

But no one came to claim the 50 cardboard boxes of fish, 22 of which
contained cocaine.

The seizure comes less than a week after 58 people were charged with
smuggling drugs and weapons at the airport. Many of them worked for American
Airlines.

A Customs Service spokesman estimated the wholesale value of the drugs at
about $21 million.