South Africa has detained the Russian-flagged freighter ‘Lada’, after being informed that it was allegedly carrying illegal cargo of weaponry onboard. Namely, local media report that the ship was carrying explosives and arms worth about $3.5 million.
South African authorities discovered the alleged illegal cargo on Sunday, August 19, while the ship was a the port of Ngqura, a terminal near Port Elizabeth.
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It has just unloaded 14 containers of legitimate cargo at the port, but local media claim that there were 20 containers of improperly documented weaponry onboard the ship. ‘Lada’ was eventually detained and was ordered to a nearby anchorage. Reportedly, the ship was going to Lagos, Nigeria.
Relevant authorities have confirmed that they have arrested they ship, but they have not undisclose the exact nature of the cargo. Nevertheless, according to sources, ‘Lada’ was carrying explosives and arms worth about $3.5 million.
‘Lada’ was built in 200 and is a 4,500 dwt freighter owned and flagged in Russia.
