[Exclusive] South Korean Shipping Captain Detained for a Month After Cocaine Found in Bulk Carrier’s Lower Passage

"Drug Alert" Issued in Shipping Industry
Drugs Found on Vessel from Brazil to T?rkiye
Korean Captain Detained Locally for a Month
Korean Shipping Companies Announce Preventive Measures Against Drug Smuggling

A Korean captain working for a domestic shipping company has reportedly been detained overseas for a month after drugs were found on the vessel he was operating, prompting the shipping industry to issue a "drug alert." Shipping companies are heightening their vigilance by inspecting unidentified items onboard when traveling to and from countries at high risk for drug smuggling, and by strengthening security at access points.

According to an Asia Economy report on August 29, cocaine was discovered on a bulk carrier belonging to a certain shipping company docked at Mersin Port in southern T?rkiye, leading local authorities to detain the captain and some crew members around July 31 for investigation. The vessel had departed from Santos Port in Brazil. It is suspected that an outsider approached the ship during loading at Santos and placed the drugs onboard. It has been determined that neither the captain nor the vessel was involved in drug trafficking.

Graphic by ChatGTP

The cocaine was found in the ship's lower "sea chest," a compartment through which seawater flows in for ballast or cooling purposes. Although this area is typically submerged, it can be accessed externally by swimming or diving. A current maritime officer, identified as Mr. A, explained, "If someone secretly accesses the sea chest from outside, it is very difficult for those on the ship to notice," adding, "Within the industry, it is believed that innocent crew members have been unfairly detained."

Cocaine has also been detected on trade vessels traveling between Korea and Central and South America. Recently, domestic law enforcement discovered a cargo ship traveling between Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, and East Asia that entered Busan New Port carrying 600 kilograms of cocaine. In April last year, 28.43 kilograms of cocaine were found in the sea chest of a Mexico-bound cargo ship docked at Onsan Port in Ulsan.

An industry official stated, "Although South America, including Brazil, is a high-risk area for drug trafficking, I have never heard of a Korean captain being detained overseas for a drug-related incident." Mr. B, who has worked in the shipping industry for over 20 years, also noted, "The detention of a Korean captain is a rare case." The shipping company in question is reportedly preparing legal support to secure the prompt release of the detained captain and crew members.

Korean shipping companies are reinforcing their vigilance by issuing guidelines for preventive measures against drug smuggling. One company notified its crew members to thoroughly check for unidentified items onboard before departing from countries at high risk for drug smuggling. They also emphasized the need for heightened attention to security duties at ship entrances while docked, and instructed that all other possible access points, such as small boats approaching for drug delivery or retrieval, must be strictly blocked.

A government official stated, "Relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, are working together for a swift resolution," adding, "The Korean Embassy in T?rkiye is currently communicating our position to the local judicial authorities."