The vessel Chong Chon Gang was detained in Panama on 10 July 2013 under suspicion of carrying drugs as she tried to transit the waterway. But instead of finding drugs, Panamanian authorities discovered a cargo of weapons – parts of MIG 21 aircraft, missiles launchers amongst others - hidden under tonnes of sugar bags.
The Chong Chon Gang 35-crew members were all detained but 32 of them were released 15 February and returned to Cuba with the vessel after the shipowner paid a $600,000 fine to the Panama Canal Authority, for having endangered the security of the waterway and made false cargo declaration.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.
