Chakhrach, a grandfather from Ukraine, and Zakuradajev, an unmarried man from Lithuania, were hired last year to work 52 hours a week on the Yalta, a rusty Panamanian freighter Chakhrach as the captain and Zakuradajev as the second officer. (more…)

“Fight the drug war, pay the bill. The Yalta crewmen are free to go home, but their acquittal in Tampa comes at a high price.”

TAMPA – A year ago, off the coast of Venezuela, a British war ship intercepted a freighter bound for Europe and bearing nearly 4 tons of cocaine. (more…)

Most of the sailors will live temporarily in a rental home owned by defense attorney Richard Cox. [Bjorn Brunvand] said the captain, Yuri Chakhrach, will stay with him until he can return to his home in the Ukraine. (more…)