467 - 05/06 - Drugs - Petrozuata - Venezuela

The Association has recently been made aware of an arrest on board a vessel in Petrozuata, Venezuela arising from drug smuggling.

The incident occurred when the port-employed pilot boarded the ship to find an individual already onboard who had claimed he was the pilot. After a certain amount of confusion it became clear that the person claiming to be the pilot was not and on further investigation it was found that the cases which had accompanied him on board contained some 30 kgs of cocaine.

Members are advised to be continually vigilant in this part of the world. If ships' crew are suspicious of any person/persons on board, the Club's correspondent should be informed immediately.

Source of information: LP Department