Panama detains North Korean ship carrying “sophisticated missile equipment”; captain tries to kill himself
Hidden missile equipment in North Korean vessel seized in Panama Canal, posted to the Twitter account of Panamanian President, Ricardo Martinelli
Update: Expert: North Korean cargo stopped in Panama was radar used to guide missiles
July 16th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, announced that his country detained a North Korean ship that was carrying “undeclared military cargo” in the form of “extremely sophisticated” missile equipment.
The ship was detained in the Panama Canal.
The cargo was apparently hidden underneath bags of sugar. Martinelli posted photos of the find on his Twitter account. Authorities are continuing to search the ship at present.
The president said that the 35-person crew resisted the search and the captain tried to kill himself.
The United States commended Panama for its actions.
The ship, the Chong Chon Gang, had apparently departed from Russia before arriving in the Panama Canal.
The ship had traveled across the Pacific without its automatic tracking system turned on, an action which security experts describe as highly suspicious.
Panama’s Security Minister, Jose Raul Mulino, said that the ship was carrying 250,000 bags of sugar and was seized on July 10th after authorities received a tip that the ship was carrying drugs, but the “resistance and violence from the crew” delayed the search of the vessel, which continues today.
Mulino said the suspected weaponry was found in two containers and did not rule out the possibility of further “surprises” as the search of the ship continues.
“This material not being declared and Panama being a neutral country, a country in peace, that doesn’t like war, we feel very worried about this war material and we don’t know what else will have… passed through the Panama Canal,” President Martinelli told a local radio station.
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