News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2004

3 Individuals Charged in Large Scale Cocaine
and Marijuana Importation Ring

JAN 29--Last night the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested three men in Broward County and seized 380 kilograms of cocaine, 487 pounds of marijuana, two boats, two pick-up trucks, two boat trailers, and a minivan in a joint enforcement operation.

The seizures and arrests were the result of information developed by DEA and ICE agents concerning the importation of cocaine and marijuana from the Bahamas.

At approximately 7:10AM Tuesday morning, an ICE enforcement aircraft based out of the ICE Air Marine Operations Branch, Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead spotted two boats headed west from Bimini, Bahamas toward the coast of Florida. Three high speed interceptor class patrol boats were vectored from West Palm Beach and Ft Lauderdale to interdict the boats.

At approximately 10:45AM, the ICE patrol boats stopped a 26 foot Sea Vee fishing boat and a 24 foot Four Winns pleasure boat as they both approached the Port Everglades Inlet. ICE marine enforcement officers boarded the vessels and discovered 26 bales, which were found to contain 380 kilograms of cocaine and 487 pounds of marijuana. Arrested at that time were Henry RUDNITSKIE, age 56, of Plantation, Florida and William STEVENS, age 45, of Lake Worth, FL.

Later that same evening, an undercover DEA agent and STEVENS met with Necodaine Jean LOUIS, age 33, of Nassau, Bahamas, at which time LOUIS provided a minivan that was to be loaded with the cocaine and marijuana. Shortly thereafter, the minivan loaded with cocaine and marijuana was returned to LOUIS, and he was arrested.

All three men were charged with Importation of Cocaine and Marijuana, and appeared before a U.S. Magistrate today in Fort Lauderdale, at which time Pre Trial Detention was requested.