DATE: June 9, 2007 3:13:47 PM EDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Press Release

Date: June 9, 2007

Contact: 
PA3 Sondra-Kay Kneen
(305) 965-4672

Ft. Myers Coast Guard Disables Smuggling Vessel

FT. MYERS, Fla.- Crews from Coast Guard Station Ft. Myers Beach, in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., disabled a 29-foot go-fast smuggling vessel headed outbound from San Carlos Bay, in Sanibel Island, Fla., at about 5 a.m. today.

The Coast Guard crew came across the vessel during a routine law-enforcement patrol at about 3:45 a.m. today.  The vessel had two 250-horse-power Suzuki outboard engines and 25, 15-gallon fuel tanks on board.  When the crew came alongside the vessel, the go-fast made an attempt to ram the Coast Guard boat and began to flee.  A second Coast Guard boat from Station Ft. Myers Beach was on scene five minutes later.

The two Coast Guard crews continued to pursue the vessel 18 miles southwest of Sanibel Island.  The go-fast made several attempts to ram both Coast Guard vessels.  Coast Guard crewmembers used law-enforcement tactics and disabled the vessel.

Two males on board the go-fast were taken into custody and transferred to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) where they will be charged with several violations, including attempted assault of a Federal Law-Enforcement Officer.

There is no video or photos available of this case.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the lead investigator.

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 The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America.

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