US Customs seizes ship where huge cocaine load was found

Source: Associated Press

Updated 3:36 pm CDT, Monday, July 8, 2019



Photo: Matt Rourke, AP
IMAGE 1 OF 3
File--This file photo from June 24, 2019 shows the MSC Gayane moored at the Packer Marine Terminal in Philadelphia. Customs authorities announced on Monday, July 8, 2019, they have seized the cargo ship where agents discovered nearly 40,000 pounds, or almost 18,000 kilograms, of cocaine when the vessel was inspected in Philadelphia last month.


PHILADELPHIA (AP) — U.S. Customs authorities have seized a cargo ship where agents discovered nearly 40,000 pounds, or almost 18,000 kilograms, of cocaine when the vessel arrived in Philadelphia last month, U.S. Attorney William McSwain announced Monday.

Customs and Border Protection officials obtained a warrant Thursday and seized the MSC Gayane, owned by Swiss firm Mediterranean Shipping Company, McSwain said.

"A seizure of a vessel this massive is complicated and unprecedented — but it is appropriate because the circumstances here are also unprecedented. We found nearly 20 tons of cocaine hidden on this ship," McSwain said. "When a vessel brings such an outrageous amount of deadly drugs into Philadelphia waters, my office and our agency partners will pursue the most severe consequences possible against all involved parties in order to protect our district — and our country."

. . .

Gayane is at least the third ship in Mediterranean Shipping Company's fleet to have been raided by U.S. authorities this year.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/US-Customs-seizes-ship-where-huge-cocaine-load-14079238.php