Lounging at the Stern

A 20-year-old marine-biology graduate joined a 70-foot, two-masted schooner for what appeared to be a months-long Caribbean pleasure cruise. The vessel called at several ports, including in Colombia. About fifteen miles off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, a helicopter crew saw packages being thrown from the schooner; six floating packages held about 50 pounds of marijuana. She was seen lounging at the rear of the boat in a bathing suit, and the pilot testified he did not see her throw anything. When the vessel was searched, no drugs were found aboard. She was convicted of attempting to import marijuana. The defence argued she was merely present on the boat, with no proof she knew of the marijuana or did anything to further the venture.