The Mexican navy found some 169.5 kilograms of cocaine inside a container, which was unloaded from the German-flagged containership Monte Olivia, operated by Hamburg Süd, while the ship was docked in Port Altamira, Mexico on Sunday.
The navy said that the cocaine was hidden in five suitcases inside the container. The joint inspection was conducted by Mexico’s navy and customs personnel at the Altamira Terminal Portuaria (ATP). The suspicious packages were found with the assistance of detection dogs brought to the site.
Following the testing of the substance found in the suitcases it was confirmed that the substance was cocaine.
As informed, the drugs was seized and presented to the office of the Attorney General for further proceedings.
The 88,747 DWT containership was cleared to resume its journey and based on the latest vessel tracking data from Marine Traffic the 2004-built ship is currently in Houston, the US.
The latest find makes Monte Olivia the third commercial ship this month to be involved in drug smuggling.
The other two cases relate to a car carrier owned by Oslo-based Höegh Autoliners that was raided by the Kenyan authorities on suspicion that it carried drugs and weapons on board on September 17th and Teekay-owned gas carrier Hispania Spirit, on board which the Peruvian authorities found 211 kilos of cocaine on September 8th.
World Maritime News Staff; Images: Mexican Navy