Pubdate: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2000, The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Forum: http://tampabayonline.net/interact/welcome.htm Author: Sarah Huntley, of the Tribune Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n545/a03.html SHIPS' SEIZURES LINKED, PROSECUTORS SAY TAMPA - Federal prosecutors acknowledged Monday that last week's seizure of a Colombian shrimping boat said to be carrying nearly 4 tons of cocaine is linked to a similar seizure last month. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Ruddy told U.S. Magistrate Elizabeth Jenkins there are ``common co-conspirators'' in the new case, which involves a ship called the Layneyd, and the trawler seized last month, the Rebelde. Both vessels were seized hundreds of miles off the coast of Ecuador after Coast Guard officials allegedly found cocaine hidden aboard them. The captains and crews were taken into custody, brought to Tampa and indicted on federal cocaine charges. Ruddy did not elaborate on the connection but told Jenkins that defense attorney Danny Castillo, who is representing a member of the Rebelde crew, would have a conflict of interest if he is retained to defend the Layneyd's captain. Jenkins said she would consider holding a special hearing if Castillo's involvement became an issue. Ruddy also said Monday that the government has independent information that the Layneyd's captain, Segundo Quinones, and one of his mates, Cesar Dominguez, have made frequent drug runs aboard the ship. Both Quinones and crew members told agents after their arrest that cocaine was aboard, but the crew said they did not know about it until the ship left port, Ruddy said. All five mates were ordered held without bail until trial. Jenkins scheduled a detention hearing for Quinones on May 10 after Castillo said he needed more time to prepare.