Navy Seizes Boat With $11M in Hashish

The Associated Press ^ | 1/4/04

[freeperfromnj]

U.S. Navy Seizes Small Boat Carrying $11 Million Worth of Hashish Near Persian Gulf

WASHINGTON Jan. 2 — The U.S. Navy has seized another small boat carrying drugs near the Persian Gulf after interrogating smugglers with suspected links to the al-Qaida terrorist network, the military announced Friday. The boat seized on New Year's Day was the fourth drug-smuggling vessel intercepted by Americans in the past two weeks in or near the Persian Gulf. Pentagon officials say they believe all four boats, which were carrying hashish, heroin and methamphetamines, are part of a drug smuggling operation which funnels money to Osama bin Laden's terrorist network.

An American search of the boat, a wooden vessel called a dhow, found about 2,800 pounds of hashish with an estimated street value of $11 million, according to a statement from the Navy's 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain.

U.S. Navy ships including the USS Port Royal, USS Peleliu and USS Germantown stopped the boat Thursday in the northern Arabian Sea, said Cmdr. James Graybeal, a 5th Fleet spokesman. Searchers found the drugs Friday under blocks of ice and in hidden compartments in the vessel, he said.

Fifteen people aboard the dhow are being held by the Navy aboard the Peleliu, an amphibious assault ship which carries the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

[Destructor]

You quote me the exact sentences where I said that I was "pure and without sin," or that I had "every right to chastise those...who have not found perfection" that you are trying to accuse me of saying that I have acheived.

Let me remind you that YOU first posed the question, and that I answered the question merely to show that I personally, don't have a dog in this fight! If you can't accept my answer, then stop being so damned nosy by posing such questions in the first place.

[HELLRAISER II]

I asked you a simple question that you answered with a smart alec remark when you could of told me nicely I don't wish to answer that and I wouldn't of pushed it because I do have manners. I was just curious to see what you thought of the question I asked if you did do any of those things. But no you have to say it in a "it's none of your damn business" attitude and I reckon it's not. I simply replied with a smart @ss answer myself.

[Destructor]

That's right-- I did! I don't have to be nice to nosy people, or anybody else for that matter. If you insist on personalizing a political discussion by bringing someone's personal business into the discussion, then this won't be the last "smart alec remark" that you get in return. I don't appreciate it when people try to put words in my mouth, or use diversionary tactics.

The only reason that I responded to that question is to show that as a non-smoker, non-drinker, non- recreational drug user I could really care less about those vices being banned. I don't see anything in the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights that gives you a Constitutional Right to smoke, get drunk, or get high. So, unless you can enlighten me on this issue you should probably quit while you're ahead.

[HELLRAISER II]

Such a nice & sparkling personality you have there, I guess I could be rude an obnoxious just like you, but then I'd probably get banned for a month or two for bad language. So I guess i'll pass on that, you have nice day now ya hear.

[Destructor]

Same to you friend! Thanks for stopping by!