Plea-Bargain Struck in Smuggling Case
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SAN FRANCISCO — A ship captain accused of smuggling Chinese refugees has struck a deal with federal prosecutors, pleading guilty to conspiracy and agreeing to testify against co-defendants.
Abner Sammy Mandak, skipper of the freighter that carried the refugee group on a 46-day voyage across the Pacific, entered the plea Monday, said U.S. Atty. John Mendez.
As part of a bargain to cooperate with prosecutors, Mandak said he would testify against the eight crew members still facing charges, Mendez said.
The freighter Manyoshi Maru was taken to San Francisco by the Coast Guard on Dec. 22 after running out of food and water. The 171 passengers aboard were turned over to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
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