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.

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