Indian Court Releases Vietnamese Bulker Held for Cocaine Seizure

The Vietnamese-owned bulker Debi has been released by India’s High Court after a 15-month detention due to a cocaine seizure aboard the vessel. Detained as it was transporting steel from Asia to Denmark, authorities found 22 kg of cocaine hidden on the ship, leading to a costly dispute over nearly $1 million in port fees owed to the Paradip International Cargo Terminal. The crew had faced significant hardships during the detention, including a strike and an incident involving a crew member attempting suicide.

An out-of-court settlement was reached between the ship’s owners and the terminal, prompting the court to order the vessel’s release. As of the latest reports, however, the Debi remains at port. The High Court noted that while the investigation into the smuggling was ongoing, no charges had been filed against the crew, many of whom were from Vietnam.

International maritime organizations have increasingly condemned the arbitrary detention of vessels and their crews over smuggling allegations, highlighting the lack of fair treatment in such cases. Unions are advocating for expedited processes for detained crews, especially when they are not directly implicated in criminal activities.

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