20 Filipino Seafarers Held In South Korea After Drug Bust Aboard Bulk Carrier

A cargo ship flying the Norwegian flag and manned entirely by Filipino crew members is under investigation in South Korea after authorities found a huge quantity of cocaine on board.

The ship, identified as M/V Lunita, arrived at Okgye Port in Gangneung, Gangwon Province on April 1. It was inspected the next day, April 2, by South Korean officials from the Korea Coast Guard and Seoul Regional Customs Office.

The search followed a tip from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations.

During the operation, authorities found 50 tightly packed bundles of cocaine, each weighing about 20 kilograms, hidden in the vessel’s engine room. In total, the drugs weighed two metric tons.

The Korea Customs Service estimated the street value at a staggering $679.6 million, marking one of the country’s largest-ever drug seizures.

According to online vessel tracking data, the ship had recently visited several international ports, including those in China, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and South Korea.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the discovery and said that all 20 crew members on the ship were Filipinos.

As of now, they remain on board the vessel and have not been formally detained or charged.

An official from the DFA explained that South Korean authorities are still investigating. If they find that the crew members were involved in trafficking the drugs, then charges and possible detention may follow.

The official also mentioned the possibility that only one person could be responsible, or that the drugs may have been placed on board at a previous port.

The DFA is closely monitoring the situation and is awaiting formal reports from the Philippine embassies in both Seoul and Oslo. It also assured that the Filipino crew will be supported through proper legal assistance.

Meanwhile, the Norwegian shipowner, J.J. Ugland Companies, confirmed the drug seizure in a public statement on April 3. The company said it is still unclear how the drugs were smuggled onto the vessel.

The firm also stated that it had already hired a lawyer to represent the crew.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in the Philippines also stepped in, promising to provide legal assistance.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated in an interview that government lawyers will be joining the legal team within the next two days to help the Filipino crew members.

He said that the crew deserves full legal support while investigations are underway.

Cacdac also said that the DMW is coordinating with the DFA to ensure the crew receives all the necessary assistance. He reaffirmed that under the law, the crew members are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

The vessel remains docked at Okgye Port, with the Filipino seafarers onboard.

Reference: PNA

Source: Maritime Shipping News