Filipino crew of M/V Lunita detained in South Korea with 2 tons of cocaine

A Norwegian-flagged bulk carrier with an all-Filipino crew has been detained in South Korea after local authorities discovered two metric tons of suspected cocaine, worth around $679.6 million, aboard.

The ship, M/V Lunita, was searched and seized by South Korean officials at Okgye port in Gangneung following a tip from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on April 2.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Eduardo de Vega confirmed that all crew members remain onboard while under investigation with no determination of probable cause made yet by South Korean authorities.

The vessel's owner, J.J. Ugland Companies, has provided legal assistance to the Filipino seafarers and noted that it is still unclear how the drugs came aboard their ship.

De Vega stated that the DFA will provide additional support if needed as they await reports from Philippine embassies in Norway and South Korea.