U.S. Customs Service To Auction Drug Bust Ships

The U.S. Customs Service is preparing to auction M/V Suerte I, which was one of five large vessels seized in September 2000. The seizure occurred as part of Operation Journey, a two-year multi-national initiative against Colombian drug traffickers who used commercial vessels to smuggle cocaine throughout Europe and the U.S. The public auction will take place on Thursday, Februay 8, 2001, at noon at Houston ship Repair. "The Suerte has some nice machinery, navigational and safety equipment," said Britney Bartlett, with auction organizers EG&G Technical Services. "However, some of the statutory certificates will need to be updated. Vessel inspection is by appointment only from January 29 through February 2 at Houston Ship Repair. For inspection appointments, call Mike Lewis at (281) 578-1595 For more information on this and other Treasury Dept. public auctions, call (703) 273-3441, ext. 234, or visit: www.treas.gov/auctions/customs