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Oh the humanity!
Oh the humanity!
Two charged with smuggling Cuban rum, cigars into Southwest Florida
By AISLING SWIFT (Contact)
Originally published 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
Updated 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
Two Fort Myers men have been indicted on federal charges that they illegally
imported Cuban merchandise - including cigars, cigarettes, coffee and rum -
into the United States as part of a sailboat smuggling venture.
Martin Sengseis, 43, and Douglas Hiner, 68, face up to 20 years in a federal
prison if convicted of the smuggling charge.
A federal grand jury handed up the indictment charging Hiner on Wednesday,
while Sengseis was indicted on Feb. 27, federal officials said.
"These men mistakenly thought they could get away with their illegal
merchandise smuggling venture," said Robert Weber, special agent in charge
of ICE's investigations office in Tampa. "We want to make it clear that ICE
and its law enforcement partners will not tolerate the exploitation of our
country's immigrations and customs laws and will investigate, arrest, and
hold accountable those who do."
Capt. Joseph A. Servidio, commanding officer of the Coast Guard sector in
St. Petersburg, said the investigations are part of a long history of
collaboration among agencies that allows for information and resource
sharing.
Court documents show there were two separate sailboat smuggling ventures
involving the importation, boats separately captained by each man.
Federal authorities and court documents provide this account:
On May 13, U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol marine agents
intercepted and boarded a sailboat owned by Hiner, the captain.
A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying 361 Cuban
cigars and Cuban cigarettes.
Investigators found roughly 26 specialized compartments constructed for
smuggling, which led to the discovery of a storage site in North Fort Myers
that Hiner used to store Cuban cigars and rum. There, agents seized about
27,000 assorted Cuban cigars and 42 bottles of rum.
On Feb. 21, Sengseis, the captain of "Golden Eagle," ran his 51-foot sailing
vessel aground at Mantanzas Pass, near Fort Myers Beach, after returning
from Havana.
Sengseis told officers he was returning from Key West, but during that
routine boarding, a Coast Guard officer spotted several Cuban items in plain
view. Marine agents in Fort Myers were then called to assist in a second
search.
Agents discovered the Austrian-flagged boat had numerous hidden compartments
constructed for smuggling. They concealed 364 boxes of Cuban cigars, 45
bottles of Cuban rum, 30 pounds of Cuban coffee and 100 cartons of Cuban
cigarettes.
Both cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert P.
Barclift and are assigned to U.S. District Court Judge John E. Steele in
Fort Myers.
bernie
--
"Official ASC Shaman"
Two charged with smuggling Cuban rum, cigars into Southwest Florida
By AISLING SWIFT (Contact)
Originally published 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
Updated 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
Two Fort Myers men have been indicted on federal charges that they illegally
imported Cuban merchandise - including cigars, cigarettes, coffee and rum -
into the United States as part of a sailboat smuggling venture.
Martin Sengseis, 43, and Douglas Hiner, 68, face up to 20 years in a federal
prison if convicted of the smuggling charge.
A federal grand jury handed up the indictment charging Hiner on Wednesday,
while Sengseis was indicted on Feb. 27, federal officials said.
"These men mistakenly thought they could get away with their illegal
merchandise smuggling venture," said Robert Weber, special agent in charge
of ICE's investigations office in Tampa. "We want to make it clear that ICE
and its law enforcement partners will not tolerate the exploitation of our
country's immigrations and customs laws and will investigate, arrest, and
hold accountable those who do."
Capt. Joseph A. Servidio, commanding officer of the Coast Guard sector in
St. Petersburg, said the investigations are part of a long history of
collaboration among agencies that allows for information and resource
sharing.
Court documents show there were two separate sailboat smuggling ventures
involving the importation, boats separately captained by each man.
Federal authorities and court documents provide this account:
On May 13, U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol marine agents
intercepted and boarded a sailboat owned by Hiner, the captain.
A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying 361 Cuban
cigars and Cuban cigarettes.
Investigators found roughly 26 specialized compartments constructed for
smuggling, which led to the discovery of a storage site in North Fort Myers
that Hiner used to store Cuban cigars and rum. There, agents seized about
27,000 assorted Cuban cigars and 42 bottles of rum.
On Feb. 21, Sengseis, the captain of "Golden Eagle," ran his 51-foot sailing
vessel aground at Mantanzas Pass, near Fort Myers Beach, after returning
from Havana.
Sengseis told officers he was returning from Key West, but during that
routine boarding, a Coast Guard officer spotted several Cuban items in plain
view. Marine agents in Fort Myers were then called to assist in a second
search.
Agents discovered the Austrian-flagged boat had numerous hidden compartments
constructed for smuggling. They concealed 364 boxes of Cuban cigars, 45
bottles of Cuban rum, 30 pounds of Cuban coffee and 100 cartons of Cuban
cigarettes.
Both cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert P.
Barclift and are assigned to U.S. District Court Judge John E. Steele in
Fort Myers.
bernie
--
"Official ASC Shaman"
Re: Oh the humanity!
> "These men mistakenly thought they could get away with their illegal
> merchandise smuggling venture," said Robert Weber, special agent in charge
> of ICE's investigations office in Tampa. "We want to make it clear that ICE
> and its law enforcement partners will not tolerate the exploitation of our
> country's immigrations and customs laws and will investigate, arrest, and
> hold accountable those who do."
better get cracking, there are millions of illegals who have,
"exploitation of our country's immigrations and customs laws" yet
remain tolerated.
> "These men mistakenly thought they could get away with their illegal
> merchandise smuggling venture," said Robert Weber, special agent in charge
> of ICE's investigations office in Tampa. "We want to make it clear that ICE
> and its law enforcement partners will not tolerate the exploitation of our
> country's immigrations and customs laws and will investigate, arrest, and
> hold accountable those who do."
better get cracking, there are millions of illegals who have,
"exploitation of our country's immigrations and customs laws" yet
remain tolerated.
Re: Oh the humanity!
On May 27, 12:50 pm, "[none]" <n...@swbell,net > wrote:
> > "These men mistakenly thought they could get away with their illegal
> > merchandise smuggling venture," said Robert Weber, special agent in charge
> > of ICE's investigations office in Tampa. "We want to make it clear that ICE
> > and its law enforcement partners will not tolerate the exploitation of our
> > country's immigrations and customs laws and will investigate, arrest, and
> > hold accountable those who do."
>
> better get cracking, there are millions of illegals who have,
> "exploitation of our country's immigrations and customs laws" yet
> remain tolerated.
Mary?
On May 27, 12:50 pm, "[none]" <n...@swbell,net > wrote:
> > "These men mistakenly thought they could get away with their illegal
> > merchandise smuggling venture," said Robert Weber, special agent in charge
> > of ICE's investigations office in Tampa. "We want to make it clear that ICE
> > and its law enforcement partners will not tolerate the exploitation of our
> > country's immigrations and customs laws and will investigate, arrest, and
> > hold accountable those who do."
>
> better get cracking, there are millions of illegals who have,
> "exploitation of our country's immigrations and customs laws" yet
> remain tolerated.
Mary?
Re: Oh the humanity!
btorvik2 wrote:
> Two charged with smuggling Cuban rum, cigars into Southwest Florida
> By AISLING SWIFT (Contact)
> Originally published 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
> Updated 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
>
>
>
>
> Two Fort Myers men have been indicted on federal charges that they illegally
> imported Cuban merchandise - including cigars, cigarettes, coffee and rum -
> into the United States as part of a sailboat smuggling venture.
>
> Martin Sengseis, 43, and Douglas Hiner, 68, face up to 20 years in a federal
> prison if convicted of the smuggling charge.
>
>
> Agents discovered the Austrian-flagged boat had numerous hidden compartments
> constructed for smuggling. They concealed 364 boxes of Cuban cigars, 45
> bottles of Cuban rum, 30 pounds of Cuban coffee and 100 cartons of Cuban
> cigarettes.
>
It's a stupid law but Ya play Ya pay.
Clearly these guys were not tourists.
btorvik2 wrote:
> Two charged with smuggling Cuban rum, cigars into Southwest Florida
> By AISLING SWIFT (Contact)
> Originally published 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
> Updated 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
>
>
>
>
> Two Fort Myers men have been indicted on federal charges that they illegally
> imported Cuban merchandise - including cigars, cigarettes, coffee and rum -
> into the United States as part of a sailboat smuggling venture.
>
> Martin Sengseis, 43, and Douglas Hiner, 68, face up to 20 years in a federal
> prison if convicted of the smuggling charge.
>
>
> Agents discovered the Austrian-flagged boat had numerous hidden compartments
> constructed for smuggling. They concealed 364 boxes of Cuban cigars, 45
> bottles of Cuban rum, 30 pounds of Cuban coffee and 100 cartons of Cuban
> cigarettes.
>
It's a stupid law but Ya play Ya pay.
Clearly these guys were not tourists.
Re: Oh the humanity!
Ken Dixon wrote:
> btorvik2 wrote:
>> Two charged with smuggling Cuban rum, cigars into Southwest Florida
>> By AISLING SWIFT (Contact)
>> Originally published 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
>> Updated 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Two Fort Myers men have been indicted on federal charges that they
>> illegally imported Cuban merchandise - including cigars, cigarettes,
>> coffee and rum - into the United States as part of a sailboat
>> smuggling venture. Martin Sengseis, 43, and Douglas Hiner, 68, face up to
>> 20 years in a
>> federal prison if convicted of the smuggling charge.
>>
>>
>> Agents discovered the Austrian-flagged boat had numerous hidden
>> compartments constructed for smuggling. They concealed 364 boxes of
>> Cuban cigars, 45 bottles of Cuban rum, 30 pounds of Cuban coffee and
>> 100 cartons of Cuban cigarettes.
>>
>
> It's a stupid law but Ya play Ya pay.
> Clearly these guys were not tourists.
And yet it appears they may be going on a long trip. :-)
bernie
--
"Official ASC Shaman"
Ken Dixon wrote:
> btorvik2 wrote:
>> Two charged with smuggling Cuban rum, cigars into Southwest Florida
>> By AISLING SWIFT (Contact)
>> Originally published 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
>> Updated 11:59 a.m., Saturday, May 24, 2008
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Two Fort Myers men have been indicted on federal charges that they
>> illegally imported Cuban merchandise - including cigars, cigarettes,
>> coffee and rum - into the United States as part of a sailboat
>> smuggling venture. Martin Sengseis, 43, and Douglas Hiner, 68, face up to
>> 20 years in a
>> federal prison if convicted of the smuggling charge.
>>
>>
>> Agents discovered the Austrian-flagged boat had numerous hidden
>> compartments constructed for smuggling. They concealed 364 boxes of
>> Cuban cigars, 45 bottles of Cuban rum, 30 pounds of Cuban coffee and
>> 100 cartons of Cuban cigarettes.
>>
>
> It's a stupid law but Ya play Ya pay.
> Clearly these guys were not tourists.
And yet it appears they may be going on a long trip. :-)
bernie
--
"Official ASC Shaman"
Re: Oh the humanity!
On Tue, 27 May 2008 09:48:56 -0500, "btorvik2" <btorvik2@aol,com >
wrote:
>A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying 361 Cuban
>cigars
A week's worth of cigars! :-) I wonder if they were factory made or
"cousin-who-works-in-a-factory"made.
CigarBaron
(smoking 2 in their honor)
On Tue, 27 May 2008 09:48:56 -0500, "btorvik2" <btorvik2@aol,com >
wrote:
>A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying 361 Cuban
>cigars
A week's worth of cigars! :-) I wonder if they were factory made or
"cousin-who-works-in-a-factory"made.
CigarBaron
(smoking 2 in their honor)
Re: Oh the humanity!
"Marc Schneiderman" <garbaron@telerama,com > wrote in message
news:lcdq34leot97n8f2i0jeis8ij3aeo1aimq@4ax,com ...
> On Tue, 27 May 2008 09:48:56 -0500, "btorvik2" <btorvik2@aol,com >
> wrote:
>
>>A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying 361
>>Cuban
>>cigars
>
> A week's worth of cigars! :-) I wonder if they were factory made or
> "cousin-who-works-in-a-factory"made.
> CigarBaron
Are they still Cuban cigars in the eyes of the law if they are fake Cuban
cigars?
"Marc Schneiderman" <garbaron@telerama,com > wrote in message
news:lcdq34leot97n8f2i0jeis8ij3aeo1aimq@4ax,com ...
> On Tue, 27 May 2008 09:48:56 -0500, "btorvik2" <btorvik2@aol,com >
> wrote:
>
>>A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying 361
>>Cuban
>>cigars
>
> A week's worth of cigars! :-) I wonder if they were factory made or
> "cousin-who-works-in-a-factory"made.
> CigarBaron
Are they still Cuban cigars in the eyes of the law if they are fake Cuban
cigars?
Re: Oh the humanity!
"Alex W." <ingilt@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>"Marc Schneiderman" <garbaron@telerama,com > wrote in message
>news:lcdq34leot97n8f2i0jeis8ij3aeo1aimq@4ax,com ...
>> On Tue, 27 May 2008 09:48:56 -0500, "btorvik2" <btorvik2@aol,com >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying 361
>>>Cuban
>>>cigars
>>
>> A week's worth of cigars! :-) I wonder if they were factory made or
>> "cousin-who-works-in-a-factory"made.
>> CigarBaron
>
>Are they still Cuban cigars in the eyes of the law if they are fake Cuban
>cigars?
>
>
IANAL, but I believe so. I think they will charge them and say it was
the intent that matters.
"Alex W." <ingilt@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>"Marc Schneiderman" <garbaron@telerama,com > wrote in message
>news:lcdq34leot97n8f2i0jeis8ij3aeo1aimq@4ax,com ...
>> On Tue, 27 May 2008 09:48:56 -0500, "btorvik2" <btorvik2@aol,com >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying 361
>>>Cuban
>>>cigars
>>
>> A week's worth of cigars! :-) I wonder if they were factory made or
>> "cousin-who-works-in-a-factory"made.
>> CigarBaron
>
>Are they still Cuban cigars in the eyes of the law if they are fake Cuban
>cigars?
>
>
IANAL, but I believe so. I think they will charge them and say it was
the intent that matters.
Re: Oh the humanity!
Alex W. wrote:
> "Marc Schneiderman" <garbaron@telerama,com > wrote in message
> news:lcdq34leot97n8f2i0jeis8ij3aeo1aimq@4ax,com ...
>> On Tue, 27 May 2008 09:48:56 -0500, "btorvik2" <btorvik2@aol,com >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying
>>> 361 Cuban
>>> cigars
>>
>> A week's worth of cigars! :-) I wonder if they were factory made or
>> "cousin-who-works-in-a-factory"made.
>> CigarBaron
>
> Are they still Cuban cigars in the eyes of the law if they are fake
> Cuban cigars?
If they bought them in Cuba they are.
bernie
--
"Official ASC Shaman"
Alex W. wrote:
> "Marc Schneiderman" <garbaron@telerama,com > wrote in message
> news:lcdq34leot97n8f2i0jeis8ij3aeo1aimq@4ax,com ...
>> On Tue, 27 May 2008 09:48:56 -0500, "btorvik2" <btorvik2@aol,com >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> A 53-foot sloop, "Vitamin Sea," was returning from Havana carrying
>>> 361 Cuban
>>> cigars
>>
>> A week's worth of cigars! :-) I wonder if they were factory made or
>> "cousin-who-works-in-a-factory"made.
>> CigarBaron
>
> Are they still Cuban cigars in the eyes of the law if they are fake
> Cuban cigars?
If they bought them in Cuba they are.
bernie
--
"Official ASC Shaman"
