Twenty Filipino crew members, including the captain, are under investigation in South Korea after their cargo vessel was caught carrying a massive haul of suspected cocaine — the largest drug bust in the country’s history.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed Tuesday that the Filipino crew was aboard the M/V Lunita, a Norwegian-flagged ship. Authorities discovered over 50 boxes containing an estimated two tonnes of cocaine hidden in the engine room, according to Unang Balita.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said it’s still unclear whether any of the crew were directly involved. “Authorities are looking into the roles, locations, and possible involvement of each crew member,” Cacdac stated in an interview.
The crew is currently being assisted by a lawyer hired by the shipowner, with the Philippine government set to assign its own legal counsel within two days. The DMW is also coordinating with the seafarers’ families.
The vessel had reportedly sailed from Mexico and made stops in Ecuador, Panama, and China before docking in South Korea. The bust was triggered by a tip from U.S. agencies including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.
J.J. Ugland Companies, the Norwegian owner of M/V Lunita, confirmed ownership and expressed uncertainty about how the drugs ended up on board, assuring full cooperation with global investigators.