The Region - News from May 30, 1985

A 16-month investigation into a suspected oceangoing drug ring ended with the pursuit and capture of one vessel at sea off San Diego and the seizure of another in Los Angeles Harbor, the Coast Guard announced. Seven suspects were taken into custody and 11 tons of marijuana were seized aboard the 65-foot Gary Lyn at its Wilmington berth by U.S. Customs Service and Los Angeles Harbor Patrol officers. One official estimated the street value of the marijuana at $22 million and said it was one of the largest seizures in the history of the port. Four other men were taken into custody from the 68-foot Ocean Joy, about 80 miles west of San Diego. They reportedly had ignored orders from a Coast Guard cutter to heave to, despite two warning shots fired across their boat’s bow. The Ocean Joy crew apparently tried to scuttle the vessel, customs officials said, and a damage control crew from the cutter was trying to keep it afloat. A Navy ship was standing by with the cutter. Officials said that the Ocean Joy was believed to be the mother ship bringing contraband drugs to an offshore point, where they were transferred to smaller vessels to be carried ashore.