PHILADELPHIA – 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. We found nearly 20 tons of cocaine hidden on this ship,” McSwain said. At least six crew members have been charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine aboard a ship. Gayane is at least the third ship in Mediterranean Shipping Company’s fleet to have been raided by U.S. authorities this year.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 08, 2019 22:18 UTC