Paradip Cocaine Seizure Sparks Intensive Underwater Probe on Suspected Smuggling Ship

Paradip: Customs officials and Odisha police are conducting an underwater search for additional illegal drugs concealed in the keel and hull of a cargo ship, where 22 packets of cocaine were seized on December 1. Crew members are suspected of involvement in smuggling, prompting an 11-day interrogation to establish links with Odisha.

Approximately 10 individuals, including three Vietnamese crew members, six crane operators from Paradip port, and a managerial employee of a stevedoring agency, are under scrutiny. Despite ongoing investigations, authorities have not released official statements.

The Customs Department confiscated 22 cocaine packets, valued at Rs 220 crore, from the MV Debi anchored at Paradip Port. The ship, arriving from Indonesia’s Gresik port and destined for Denmark with steel plates from Odisha, raised suspicions when a crane operator discovered illicit packets. Subsequent inspections confirmed the presence of cocaine.

To overcome language barriers hindering the probe, the Customs Department enlisted two Vietnamese language interpreters. Communication challenges arose during the interrogation of MV Debi’s crew members, who struggled with English.

The investigation aims to uncover the extent of the smuggling operation and potential connections in Odisha, emphasizing the role of Vietnamese interpreters in facilitating communication during the ongoing proceedings.