Record 2,700-Acre Estate Seized in Drug Case

SCRANTON, Pa. — The wooded 2,700-acre riverfront estate of a convicted cocaine smuggler was seized by federal marshals Saturday in the largest land forfeiture action ever against a U.S. drug figure, authorities said.

U.S. Atty. James West said investigators believe Frederik Luytjes had intended to return to the $2.8-million Mastwood estate in the Pocono Mountain region after he completes his 10-year prison sentence for cocaine trafficking.

A forfeiture complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton alleged that Luytjes had purchased the property with cocaine profits, making it subject to seizure under federal drug laws.

Luytjes, 47, allegedly used his charter aircraft business, Air America Inc., to provide planes and recruit pilots for a smuggling operation that imported 10 tons of Medellin cartel-supplied cocaine into the United States from Colombia between 1980 and 1985.

West said Mastwood represented the largest tract of land ever seized in the United States in a drug-related forfeiture action. The government previously seized about $18 million in cash and other assets from Luytjes and his associates.