Cuban authorities foil presumed rafters

FROM CUBA
Cuban authorities foil presumed rafters

CAMAGUEY, Cuba - February 1 (Marilyn Díaz Fernández, Lux Info Press /
www.cubanet.org) - Police in Sibanicú, Camagüey province, foiled a
presumed escape attempt when they intercepted a tractor hauling a barge
during a routine patrol through the Basic Unit of Cooperative Production
"Battle of México."

The barge, which had been outfitted with a four-cylinder stationary
power plant and a gearbox from a Soviet truck as well as with an
approximately 40 gallon gravity-fed diesel fuel tank, was headed in the
direction of Santa Lucía beach, in the north coast of Camagüey province,
leading to speculation that it was meant to be used in an illegal escape
attempt.

In the craft's interior were found cooking utensils, several sacks of
charcoal, canned food, cheeses, soft drinks and sundry items.

The craft itself was approximately 10 feet long by seven-and-a-half feet
in beam and was built of thin sheet metal. Police later said the craft
had been reported stolen by the municipality's fisheries concern.

The people transporting the craft fled across an adjacent field upon the
police's arrival.

Police said they were investigating, but at closing time still had no clues.

http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y06/feb06/09e2.htm