Algerian authorities captured around 700kg of cocaine that was smuggled onboard a containership, which was located at the Port of Oran on May 29. As a result, the authorities also made 20 arrests.
According to sources, the Liberian-flagged containership, “Vega Mercury”, was carrying frozen meat from Brazil, and the drugs were found inside one of those containers.
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The vessel, which had previously docked in Valencia, Spain, was planned to offload in Algeria’s Port of Oran. However, suspicions were raised when the captain refused to dock for three days.
After receiving a tip-off for the suspicious ship, the Algerian coastguard conducted a search operation, in cooperation with police and customs units. The investigation found and seized the drugs.
The inspection onboard the ship has not stopped, as more containers onboard the vessel are being investigated, the Algerian ministry of defence informed.