Record cocaine haul in Busan port

More than 700 kilos of cocaine were seized on 10 May by Korea Customs from a container on a ship operated by Hapag-Lloyd, making it the largest haul of the drug in South Korea’s Busan port.

Korea Customs announced on 12 May that 720 kilos of cocaine with a street value of KRW 360 billion (around US$255 million) was confiscated after its inspectors boarded the vessel shortly after it arrived in Busan North Port on 10 May.

Vessel-tracking data indicates that this ship is the 2013-built, Malta-flagged, 8,800 TEU Vantage, which Hapag-Lloyd has chartered from Greek owner Costamare for its Asia-Mexico Express service.

Korea Customs said, “Cocaine was detected with the cooperation of the US Drug Enforcement Administration.”

Hapag-Lloyd’s spokesperson confirmed to Container News that the German carrier operates Vantage, saying: “Logistics companies and shipping lines are repeatedly targeted by organised criminals. We work closely with local authorities to minimise this risk.”

Costamare has not responded to Container News’ request for comment.

It is not known whether the cocaine was intended to be brought into South Korea or was simply in transit. Customs and prosecutors are investigating the source and distribution route of the drugs. Before arriving in Busan, Vantage was in Yokohama, Japan. The ship departed Busan for Qingdao, China, on 12 May.

Alison Koo
Asia Correspondent

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