Opinion ID: 418131
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: June 1977--April 1978: the JUBILEE

Text: 36 While the BAYOU BLUES operation was underway, Gerdes' organization was also planning more smuggling ventures. On July 20, 1977, Gerdes, Foster, and others flew to Las Vegas aboard Cauble Enterprises' plane to launder money. 46 Gerdes and others returned to Texas on July 26 and had breakfast with Cauble at Cauble's home; Cauble ordered the Cauble Enterprises pilot to fly Gerdes to his home in Knoxville, Tennessee. 37 Gerdes' organization sought a new boat in October 1977. Foster was looking for a boat at the same time, allegedly to begin a shrimping business. Cauble called two boat brokers on October 5, 1977, seeking a shrimp boat, and later sent Foster to look at a boat in Aransas Pass, Texas. Gerdes' lieutenants bought the JUBILEE in November 1977, after meeting Foster while looking for a suitable boat. 47 38 The JUBILEE smugglers met in November 1977 at a Houston apartment leased by Cutter Bill's Western Wear, a business owned by Cauble Enterprises. In late 1977 Foster asked Cauble's lawyer's assistance in leasing a site suitable for a shrimping operation. The lawyer and Foster looked at several places and in January 1978 rented a site at High Island, Texas. 48 Foster had a large metal structure built at the water's edge. 39 On December 26, 1977, Foster flew aboard Cauble Enterprises' plane to Sarasota and picked up Gerdes. They then flew to Memphis and on to Houston; from there they boarded a commercial plane and flew to Las Vegas. On December 30 Cauble flew to Las Vegas. On January 1, 1978, Cauble delayed his party's takeoff from Las Vegas to converse with Gerdes at the airport. 40 The JUBILEE arrived at High Island on January 27, 1978. Eight smugglers, including Gerdes, Foster, and three Cauble Enterprises' employees 49 awaited the JUBILEE's arrival for a week at the Cutter Bill's apartment. The marijuana was unloaded and driven to the Crockett Ranch. Butler and Washington then took one truckload to the Mercer Ranch, near Fort Worth. 50 Cauble Enterprises also owns the Mercer Ranch. The smugglers distributed the marijuana from the Crockett Ranch during the next two weeks. 41 During February and March 1978, the Cauble Enterprises plane made three trips to Alcoa, Tennessee, near the home of John Ruppel. 51 On March 21, 1978, Foster and Gerdes flew by commercial aircraft to Memphis and Cauble Enterprises paid their fare. 42 On April 4, 1978, the JUBILEE arrived at High Island. For the week before its arrival the smugglers had again resided at the Cutter Bill's apartment. Butler and Washington again trucked the marijuana to the Crockett Ranch and the smugglers distributed it during the next two weeks. 43 In April or May 1978 Larry Washington called Cauble to find out whether Foster had left Washington $5,000 due him from the second JUBILEE load. Washington asked whether Foster had left a package for him and Cauble said: No. What was it? Washington replied: Money. Cauble told Washington to come to the ranch for the money. When he arrived, Cauble gave him a briefcase, which Washington had given to Foster, containing $5,000; Cauble asked Washington if it was a loan or if Foster owed him the money.