Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2000, The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Forum: http://tampabayonline.net/interact/welcome.htm Section: Florida/Metro, page 4 Author: Sarah Huntley of the Tribune OFFICIALS DEFEND WAY SHIP WAS SEIZED It's been a central question in the wake of the U.S. Coast Guard's boarding and seizure of the 83-foot Colombian trawler Rebelde off Ecuador four months ago: Did the government comply with an international treaty requiring Colombia's permission to board? Federal prosecutors now say they did. In recently filed court papers, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Ruddy says U.S. officials followed international law when taking over the Rebelde, which they say was loaded with nearly 5 tons of cocaine. The prosecutor produced supporting documents, including an affidavit from a Coast Guard commander who said his agency contacted the Colombians before and after the boarding on Feb. 17, and a letter of consent dated four days later from the Colombian Navy. Ruddy's remarks were the government's first public response to allegations raised in March by defense attorneys who are seeking to have a resulting indictment thrown out. Danny Castillo, a Tampa lawyer representing the ship's captain, had not received the government's response Wednesday but noted that the Coast Guard affidavit was signed May 17. ``They come up with this two months after the fact, after I file my motion,'' he said. The battle over jurisdiction is believed to be a significant one in a significant case. The cocaine stash was the largest ever brought into Tampa Bay and one of the biggest in state history. Weeks after the Rebelde was intercepted, the Coast Guard seized another Colombian vessel in the same waters. That ship, the Layneyd, was said to be carrying almost 4 tons of cocaine. Ruddy has acknowledged the two cases are related but won't say what links the ships to Florida. ``The government is painting this case with a broad brush,'' Castillo said. ``They can't just say they have jurisdiction. They have to put me on notice about what it is I am called to defend.'' - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart