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Hard Drugs Found Aboard Colombian Navy Flagship

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3634061.stm

Drugs found on Colombian flagship

A large cache of cocaine and heroin has been found on the Colombian navy's flagship, the Gloria.
The discovery was made just as Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo was to tour the ship during an official visit.

The sailing ship, which is the pride of the national fleet, was also due to visit the US and Europe to try to promote Colombia's image abroad.

The incident is the latest in a series of scandals dogging the Colombian security forces.

President Alvaro Uribe called the incident a stain on the nation's honour and ordered the entire 75 crew members suspended.

Officials found 16.5kg (36lb) of heroin and 10kg (22lb) of cocaine hidden in the engine room of the historic three-masted ship.

The drugs would have been worth millions of dollars if sold on the streets of the US or Europe, correspondents say.

"The government would rather see the ship rot than let this type of crime continue rotting our national dignity," the government said in a statement.

The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Medellin says the incident is the latest in a series of scandals which have seen generals and colonels sacked for corruption or incompetence and the army accused of being trigger-happy.

He adds that it will have done little to reassure the visiting Peruvian leader that the Colombian armed forces can do anything to stop the Marxist guerrillas who frequently cross into Peru and are now selling drugs along the frontier.

By Sam Salmon on Apr 17, 2004, 22:15 in Friendly Talkzone.

asmith says on Apr 17, 2004, 23:09:

Hard Drugs Found Aboard Colombian Navy Flagship My, my, 75 crew members suspended? Suspended, what does that mean? All aboard should face the highest Court- martial charged with treason. Nothing less. What do you think would happen if this was a U.S. Navy ship? Is not the Commander of the ship responsible for the ship and the crew as well as it and their actions? Hang them from the yard arm, and make them an example.

0 funny, 0 helpful.