TWENTY Filipino seafarers were found manning a cargo vessel found in South Korea to be carrying tons of suspected cocaine, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said yesterday.
The vessel M/V Lunita was searched by South Korean authorities on April 2. The alleged cocaine was contained in about 50 boxes.
“Currently, they are under investigation in South Korea,” Cacdac said, adding the ship owner is providing legal assistance.
“Within two days, we will have our own lawyer to form part of the legal team,” he also said.
Asked if the Filipino seafarers are behind the cocaine shipment, Cacdac said, “That is part of the investigation, who are involved, if our seafarers are involved, or any other details of the case.”
The ship owner has confirmed the drug seizure and said it has sent a lawyer to assist the crewmen.
In a post on its website on April 3, it said, “The J.J. Ugland Companies can confirm that a major drug seizure has been made on board the Norwegian-flagged cargo vessel M/V Lunita, owned by our shipping company. The vessel recently arrived in the port of Okgye, South Korea, and was searched by South Korean authorities. The authorities found a large amount of cocaine hidden on board. An investigation is ongoing, and it is still unclear how the drugs came aboard our vessel. We are working with relevant authorities to assist in the investigation, both in South Korea and in other affected jurisdictions.”
It added: “M/V Lunita has been in regular commercial operation, and in recent months the vessel has visited ports in Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, China and South Korea. Our crew on the ship are from the Philippines.”
