Brazilian authorities have confiscated half a ton of cocaine from a vessel owned by Poland’s largest shipping company, Polska Żegluga Morska (PŻM).
The drugs were found aboard the ship while it was anchored near the port of São Luís in the northeastern state of Maranhão, Brazil.
According to the Brazilian news portal g1, the search was initiated by the Brazilian police, who found multiple packages of narcotics on the vessel, which was flying the Bahamian flag.
In a statement on Sunday, a spokesperson for PŻM confirmed that the ship’s crew had discovered several 40-kilogram packages of drugs. Upon making the discovery, the crew immediately notified the captain, who then reported the incident to a local agent. The agent informed the authorities, who arrived via helicopter to seize the cargo. The Brazilian police confirmed the packages contained cocaine.
Brazilian authorities are now conducting an investigation, and the crew members are set to be questioned. They could face serious charges related to drug trafficking and involvement in an organized crime group. According to Brazilian Federal Police, this seizure marks the largest cocaine bust in the history of Maranhão state.
The Polish ship had sailed to Brazil from Rotterdam and was scheduled to continue its journey to Spain after loading soybeans.
Polska Żegluga Morska, established in 1951, is Poland’s largest shipping company and one of the major maritime operators in Europe. It is fully owned by the Polish state.
(jh)
Source: IAR
