Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744099779090Screen Shot 2025-04-08 at 4.08.35 PM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">South Korea flag. Byunghyun Lee, Pexels</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align:left">MANILA — A Norwegian-flagged bulk carrier with an all-Filipino crew was held in South Korea after local authorities searched and seized cocaine from the ship, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Tuesday. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/2/6/-cocaine-is-not-worse-than-whisky-says-colombian-president-0732">&#x27;Cocaine is not worse than whisky,&#x27; says Colombian President</a></div><p>“It was in Okgye, South Korea and supposedly there’s large amounts of cocaine found on board the ship…So it’s in the port of Okgye kung saan na-search ng South Korean authorities,” said DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Eduardo de Vega.</p><p>“Yung company already has a lawyer, so we’ll see what we can do and we’re waiting for the report of our ambassador, both in Oslo and Seoul…all the crew are from the Philippines,” he added. </p><p>Online vessel trackers indicate that the vessel M/V Lunita arrived at the port of Okgye, South Korea on April 1. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/04/24/18/poor-use-shabu-rich-use-cocaine-ncrpo-chief-explains-drug-war">Value of found cocaine bricks in PH waters nears P900-M: police</a></div><p>Multiple reports said the ship came from South America and was searched by the Korea Coast Guard and Seoul Regional Customs Office due to a tipoff from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). </p><p>According to reports, South Korean authorities found 50 packages containing 20 kilos of cocaine each for a record total of one ton, estimated to be worth $340 million. </p><p>The ship is currently moored at the port, with all the crew on board. </p><p>De Vega clarified that the Filipinos were still being investigated and had not been charged. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/22/4-pinoy-seafarers-nabbed-in-australia-for-allegedly-importing-cocaine">4 Pinoy seafarers arrested in Australia for allegedly importing cocaine: DFA</a></div><p>“First, the South Koreans are still investigating... if they determine, make a determination of probable cause, meaning that it&#x27;s their responsibility, it&#x27;s their fault, they were trafficking drugs, then they&#x27;ll be charged, possibly most probably detained pa. But right now, they&#x27;re not detained,” he said.</p><p>The DFA was awaiting official reports from the Philippine embassies in Norway and South Korea. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hyTiTAgEGww?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A Norwegian-flagged bulk carrier with an all-Filipino crew was held in South Korea after local authorities searched and seized cocaine from the ship, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Tuesday.</p>

A Norwegian-flagged bulk carrier with an all-Filipino crew was held in South Korea after local authorities searched and seized cocaine from the ship, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Tuesday.

Bulk carrier with all-Filipino crew seized in South Korea due to alleged cocaine on board

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Bulk carrier with all-Filipino crew seized in South Korea due to alleged cocaine on board

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 08, 2025 04:25 PM PHT

|

Updated April 08, 2025 05:01 PM PHT

Read More:

DFA

Philippines

OFWs

seafarers

South Korea

Norway

cocaine

drugs

South America

ANC

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