12 crew members of a bulk carrier in Paradip Port, India, released after being detained for a year in a cocaine raid
After being detained for more than a year at Paradip Port in Odisha, 12 of the 21 bulk carrier MV Debi crew members have been allowed to leave, The Times of India reported.
Indian authorities found 22 kg of cocaine worth Rs 22 crore on board the ship, which was seized in December 2023.
After replacing the 12 sailors on board, Indian customs and immigration authorities approved their release. According to officials, the remaining nine crew members will be released once the replacements arrive.
MV Debi, a bulk carrier registered in Panama and operated by Vietnam Asia Pacific Shipping, arrived at Paradip Port from Indonesia on November 30, 2023, carrying a batch of steel plates destined for Denmark.
During the inspection, the courier found a suspicious package hidden under the crane. Authorities seized 22 kg of cocaine, the largest drug seizure at Paradip port.
The drugs were reportedly attached to the crane using magnets. As a result, the vessel was detained, and the crew’s electronic equipment was seized for further investigation.
Although the crew were not formally charged, they were detained on board while the investigation continued. The seafarers faced severe difficulties, including limited family communication and restricted movement.
Basic supplies were regularly replenished, and medical examinations were carried out.
In January 2024, an engineer tried to jump into the sea after an argument but was rescued and received treatment.
In November 2024, the crew protested, refusing to work and demanding an end to their long detention.
The detention of the vessel caused increasing financial difficulties. In February 2024, the Odisha High Court ordered the vessel’s arrest after Paradip International Cargo Terminal filed a claim for outstanding debts totaling Rs 7.95 million.
In August, the court ordered the sale of the vessel due to the shipowner’s inability to repay the debts.
An Indian court rejected the shipowner’s efforts to release them. Authorities confirmed that the ship will remain detained and maintained by a new crew.
Under IMO regulations, seafarers cannot stay on board a ship for more than 11 months without permission. This forced authorities to agree to release the crew of MV Debi gradually.
The ship’s management has arranged for 12 new crew members to replace the departing crew; more are expected to be replaced soon.
The remaining crew members, including several Vietnamese nationals, are waiting to disembark. Meanwhile, Indian customs officials are continuing their investigation into the cocaine smuggling case to determine the whereabouts of the drug shipment.
