An official from the Spanish authorities examines sacks of narcotics in the port of Tenerife. The drugs found on the cargo ship “Blume” are estimated to have a value of 180 million euros. (©EPA/Spanish Civil)
Spanish authorities identified three tons of cocaine worth 180 million euros on a cargo ship under Greek management off the Canary Islands, as “K” wrote yesterday.
The “Bloom” 4,300 dwt (built 2005) was intercepted on Tuesday, 193 nautical miles from the port of Santa Cruz, according to reports in the international maritime press. The international shipping database Equasis lists Blume as owner of Rentoor Chartering and as operator of Greece-based Dignatio Corp, which has it listed as its only vessel.
In fact, Filonos Street in Piraeus is listed as the company’s headquarters and the only partner is a 22-year-old Greekno criminal history. Close relative of the 22-year-old, however, has repeatedly concerned the authorities. In 2013, he was arrested, together with a foreigner, for a case of trafficking processed cannabis that had been found in the area of Aspropyrgos.
On board there are no Greek sailorsaccording to the Ministry of Shipping, while information says that the crew is of Albanian, Egyptian and Pakistani nationality.
This is also the reason, as ministry sources explain, that there is no relevant information from the Spanish authorities.
AIS closed
The Togolese-flagged ship was reportedly sailing with its AIS tracking system disabled, which last transmitted a signal on January 17. “Blume” had set sail from the port of Santos, Brazil, on December 20. His destination was Riga in Latvia. Spanish customs authorities seized the cargo ship and took it to Tenerife on Thursday.
According to the available information, an extensive security operation by military and civilian authorities, including police divers, followed, which lasted more than five hours at the dock of Los Llanos. Then, in the evening, they unloaded the parcels of cocaine with a crane. The drugs are estimated to have a value of 180 million euros. Official information so far does not say what has happened to the crew, but some reports in Spain claim that they have all been arrested.
It has a… history
The small truck has a checkered history, having been stopped at least twice last year by port authorities for a series of violations. The first time was in Turkey, where according to Equasis 45 violations were found including lack of flag registration certificate, expired firefighting equipment and errors in oil filtration equipment. Blume was then detained in Russia in July with 25 violations including lifeboats.
In the next few days, according to information, it is possible that those involved in the “Blume” case will be taken to the prosecutor by the Coast Guard.
Tags: Seizure ship tons cocaine #22yearold Greek administrator burdensome history
