Twenty-two suspicious packets were discovered within a crane aboard the vessel ‘MV DEBI,’ which was anchored at the Pradeep International Cargo Terminal in Odisha, India. The estimated market value of the confiscated material is approximately $26.5 million.
The illicit cargo was initially observed on the night of November 30th by a crane operator working on the ship. Authorities were promptly notified due to initial suspicions of the packets being an explosive device. Subsequently, after retrieving the 22 packets, each weighing 1 kg, and conducting necessary tests, the contents were identified as cocaine.
The MV DEBI had sailed to the Odisha port from Egypt, making a stop at the Gresik Port in Indonesia. From Odisha, the vessel was en route to Denmark, carrying steel plates loaded in India.
The bulk carrier is registered in Indonesia and operated by Asia Pacific Shipping Co. Ltd.
A customs team has been dispatched to the terminal to conduct a thorough investigation. All crew members of the ship, who are Vietnamese nationals, have been detained and are being questioned by the customs officials. No arrests have been made so far in connection with this incident.
