Bulk carrier with all-Filipino crew seized in South Korea due to alleged cocaine on board | ABS-CBN
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Bulk carrier with all-Filipino crew seized in South Korea due to alleged cocaine on board
Bulk carrier with all-Filipino crew seized in South Korea due to alleged cocaine on board
South Korea flag. Byunghyun Lee, Pexels
South Korea flag. Byunghyun Lee, PexelsMANILA — A Norwegian-flagged bulk carrier with an all-Filipino crew was held in South Korea after local authorities searched and seized cocaine from the ship, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Tuesday.
MANILA — A Norwegian-flagged bulk carrier with an all-Filipino crew was held in South Korea after local authorities searched and seized cocaine from the ship, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Tuesday.
“It was in Okgye, South Korea and supposedly there’s large amounts of cocaine found on board the ship…So it’s in the port of Okgye kung saan na-search ng South Korean authorities,” said DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Eduardo de Vega.
“It was in Okgye, South Korea and supposedly there’s large amounts of cocaine found on board the ship…So it’s in the port of Okgye kung saan na-search ng South Korean authorities,” said DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Eduardo de Vega.
“Yung company already has a lawyer, so we’ll see what we can do and we’re waiting for the report of our ambassador, both in Oslo and Seoul…all the crew are from the Philippines,” he added.
“Yung company already has a lawyer, so we’ll see what we can do and we’re waiting for the report of our ambassador, both in Oslo and Seoul…all the crew are from the Philippines,” he added.
Online vessel trackers indicate that the vessel M/V Lunita arrived at the port of Okgye, South Korea on April 1.
Online vessel trackers indicate that the vessel M/V Lunita arrived at the port of Okgye, South Korea on April 1.
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Multiple reports said the ship came from South America and was searched by the Korea Coast Guard and Seoul Regional Customs Office due to a tipoff from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Multiple reports said the ship came from South America and was searched by the Korea Coast Guard and Seoul Regional Customs Office due to a tipoff from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to reports, South Korean authorities found 50 packages containing 20 kilos of cocaine each for a record total of one ton, estimated to be worth $340 million.
According to reports, South Korean authorities found 50 packages containing 20 kilos of cocaine each for a record total of one ton, estimated to be worth $340 million.
The ship is currently moored at the port, with all the crew on board.
The ship is currently moored at the port, with all the crew on board.
De Vega clarified that the Filipinos were still being investigated and had not been charged.
De Vega clarified that the Filipinos were still being investigated and had not been charged.
“First, the South Koreans are still investigating... if they determine, make a determination of probable cause, meaning that it's their responsibility, it's their fault, they were trafficking drugs, then they'll be charged, possibly most probably detained pa. But right now, they're not detained,” he said.
“First, the South Koreans are still investigating... if they determine, make a determination of probable cause, meaning that it's their responsibility, it's their fault, they were trafficking drugs, then they'll be charged, possibly most probably detained pa. But right now, they're not detained,” he said.
The DFA was awaiting official reports from the Philippine embassies in Norway and South Korea.
The DFA was awaiting official reports from the Philippine embassies in Norway and South Korea.
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