New Wreck in Florida

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Dzscubie

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Back in El Paso, Texas with my Buddy (wife)
Hi guys,

Anyone heard about this new ship that was just sunk by Customs and Border Protection? I'll try and post the news clip. It was sunk on June 6th.

HERe it IS.

Cocaine Smuggling Vessel Becomes DiverÃÔ Paradise

(06/12/2009)
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The M/V Lourdies was scuttled June 6, a mile off the coast of Deerfield Beach, Fla.The M/V Lourdies, a vessel seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers nearly a year ago after it was used in an attempt to smuggle 389 pounds of cocaine on the Miami River, was scuttled and converted into an artificial reef on Saturday, June 6.


The event took take place about one mile from shore just north of the pier at Deerfield Beach, Fla. It was 20 days short of one year ago that, while conducting an in depth search of the vessel CBP officers discovered a void space behind one of the unoccupied crew quarters wood paneling. [URL="http://206.241.31.141/ImageCache/cgov/content/newsroom/highlights/2009/hi_5fres/smuggling_5fvessel_5fhires_2ejpg/v1/smuggling_5fvessel_5fhires.jpg"] click for hi-res
Bricks of cocaine were removed from the walls of the M/V Lourdies nearly a year ago in Miami.
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Upon removing the paneling a metal box was found welded to the bulk head. Inside the metal box were 154 kilo-sized bricks, which field tested positive for cocaine. The cocaine had an estimated street value of $12 million.

A collaboration of federal, state, and local agencies working alongside private stakeholders were able to successfully navigate the complex set of legal rules and regulations required to complete this project. It was a daunting task that covered everything from deciding on a location and properly preparing the vessel to insuring that all environmental and historical concerns were addressed.
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Once a vessel used to smuggle cocaine on the Miami River, renamed ŵhe Miracle of Life, this sunken ship will serve as a recreational dive site.
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The vessel was renamed ŵhe Miracle of Life and now sits in about 140 feet of water awaiting the many recreational divers who will visit her in the years to come.
ŵhis event was the result of an outstanding interception and seizure by CBP. It also demonstrates what we are capable of accomplishing when we work together with our partners towards a common goal, said Director of Field Operations Harold Woodward.
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