- Officials report of a cocaine bust aboard Japanese capesize bulk carrier.
- Anti-narcotics division searched ship’s hull and found a container or a box, attached to hull in aft section.
- Box contained packages with cocaine, totaling 25 kilo.
- Seven crew including Captain were detained, caught allegedly, in the process of procuring the packages from a box.
- Owners and Charterers deplore any involvement with the carriage of drugs and have strict policies in place to prevent such incidents.
- They said they would cooperate fully with the local investigations to establish responsibility for this illegal shipment.
Maritime Bulletin reports of the cocaine bust onboard a Japanese capesize bulk carrier.
Cocaine bust – August 23, 2020 6:20 am
Japanese capesize bulk carrier Frontier Falcon was berthed at Icdas port, Turkey, Marmara sea, late August 19 on arrival from Colombia.
On August 22, joint team of police anti-narcotics division and Coast Guard, searched ship’s hull and found a container or a box, attached to hull in aft section.
Box contained packages with cocaine, totaling 25 kilo.
Hull inspection with deployment of divers was to be continued. According to official statement, 7 crew including Captain were detained, caught allegedly, in the process of procuring the packages from a box.
Involvement of the crew including Captain and senior officers, is not yet conformed, details remain sketchy and unclear.
Usually, when drugs are found in hideouts, law enforcement bodies are either tipped off or monitor suspicious ships long before detention and search.
Read Also: [Watch] 25 Kilos of Cocaine Seized On Board a Bulk Carrier
Statement from Owners and Charterers
Owners and Charterers of the 2011 built bulk carrier, Frontier Falcon, report that the vessel completed her cargo operations at the Port of Icdas, Turkey on 0930 hrs local time August 25.
The vessel however remains in the port, at anchor, as the current Master, Chief Officer and Chief Engineer have been taken ashore to continue assisting the Authorities with their enquiries with regards to the confiscated 25-kilogram package of drugs found attached to the ship’s hull.
All state their innocence and that they have no involvement in the incident. As enquiries from the Authorities are likely to take time, Owners believe that the above-mentioned crew members are likely to spend some more time in Turkey, before they return onboard.
For this reason and to prevent any delay, Owners are sending a new Master and Chief Engineer to the Port of Icdas with eta to join the ship on August 27. Crew members who are required to remain in Turkey will be repatriated after the enquiries are completed.
At no time was the vessel detained by the Authorities, as it was concluded that the vessel itself is not involved in any illegal trade.
The ship is authorized to depart upon arrival of the new Captain and Chief Engineer. Owners and Charterers deplore any involvement with the carriage of drugs and have strict policies in place to prevent such incidents. They will cooperate fully with the local investigations to establish responsibility for this illegal shipment.
- From the very beginning, allegations of Master and crew involvement seemed to be highly doubtful.
- Turkish authorities as their compatriots in other countries, are always ready and happy to seize and accuse those at hand, namely crew.
Vessel information
Bulk carrier FRONTIER FALCON, IMO 9546980, dwt 176820, built 2011, flag Panama, manager MIZUHO SANGYO CO LTD (EQUASIS).
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Source: Maritime Bulletin
