Alleged Canada drug-running boats seized

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- A dozen people were in custody after Canadian authorities seized three boats in a weekend drug bust off Nova Scotia.

Sgt. Mark Gallagher of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the 42-foot sailboat, a high-powered "cigar" boat and a third vessel were grabbed Sunday, the Canadian Broadcast Corp. reported Monday.

Gallagher said two of the boats were seized while docked near Ecum Secum and the sailboat, which allegedly was carrying an undetermined amount of hashish oil destined for North American customers, was captured later offshore, he said.

Gallagher said it was unusual to find one of the high-speed racing vessels in northern waters.

"It's used to obviously go at high rates of speed but also known to transport drugs within the U.S. area, and this is one of the first ones that we've seen that would be used for that purpose," he said.

Bob Auchterlonie, commander of HMCS Fredericton, said the frigate went after the sailboat, which he called the "mother ship."

"It was pitch dark and we approached with stealth at high speed," Auchterlonie told the CBC Monday. "To see a large warship right astern of you at about 200 yards at 4 o'clock in the morning was a little surprising for them."