- Mexican law enforcement officers after tip-off searched container ship Svendborg Maersk on arrival at Manzanillo Mexico.
- Two packages with 102.5 kilos of cocaine were found in the container.
- Maersk confirmed that authorities at Manzanillo Terminal are conducting an investigation.
Narcotics were found on board containership Svendborg Maersk by Mexican law enforcement officers, reports Maritime Bulletin.
Cocaine onboard containership
Mexican law enforcement officers after tip-off searched container ship Svendborg Maersk on arrival at Manzanillo Mexico, on July 2. Two packages with 102.5 kilos of cocaine were found in the container, with two persons onboard.
The ship arrived from Buenaventura Colombia, via Panama Canal, and the next port of call was to be in Japan.
Was cocaine bound for Japan, and if so, were those watchmen supposed to follow packages all the way to Japan?
Statement issued by Maersk
Maersk confirmed that authorities at Manzanillo Terminal are conducting an investigation after allegedly two stevedores were found hidden alongside with narcotics in one container onboard Svendborg Maersk on July 2nd, 2020.
Maersk officials said, “We are collaborating with the Mexican authorities in charge of the case. As a matter of policy, Maersk will not comment further while criminal investigations are ongoing.”
They added, “Throughout all aspects of our vessel and shore operations, Maersk is committed to conducting our business in a responsible and lawful manner with respect for the wider economic, social and environmental impacts of our activities.”
“Maersk does not accept illegal cargo and we have guidelines in place to guide staff on screening and handling cargo bookings, to be alert to anything unusual or suspicious. We proactively work with authorities to mitigate risk and will cooperate openly with relevant authorities during this investigations,” the company concluded.
Vessel Information
Container ship Svendborg Maersk, IMO 9146467, dwt 110387, capacity 8680 TEU, built 1998, flag Denmark.
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Source: Maritime Bulletin
