From Telegrafo
March 2007

Fishing Boat Carrying Drugs is Burned by its Crew

In a press conference held yesterday, the Commander of the Ecuadorian Coast Guard, Victor Yepes Valarezo, reported that during routine operations, the USCG Sherman encountered the Don Juan K, a fishing boat flying the Ecuadorian Flag, 1,500 miles to the west of the Galapagos Islands, beyond territorial waters.

Following procedure, the Sherman requested authorization from the Ecuadorian Maritime Authority to inspect the Don Juan K, at which time the ship’s crew set it on fire. The crew of the Sherman attempted to extinguish the fire, while a US helicopter and a patrol boat launched from the Sherman captured crew members as they attempted to escape in two small boats.

Despite the efforts of the Sherman, fire consumed the Don Juan K, causing it to sink. Upon detaining the crew, it was determined that the boat was carrying several tons of cocaine, of which approximately 400 kilos were recovered. According to the Don Juan K’s captain, the crew of 14 consisted of eight Ecuadorians and six Colombians. The ship’s papers, processed in Manta, said that the Don Juan K was to conduct fishing activities with a crew of eight men and 400 gallons of diesel plus a reserve of 100 gallons more for the ship’s generator.

The Ecuadorian Maritime Authority is working with the US Coast Guard to receive the detainees and evidence.

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