A distressing incident unfolded at Paradip port in Odisha, where a crew member of the bulk carrier MV Debi, which gained notoriety for the seizure of cocaine worth ₹220 crore in November last year, reportedly attempted suicide on Sunday. The individual, identified as a Vietnamese national serving as the third engineer on the vessel, plunged into the sea after allegedly cutting his right hand.
Prompt intervention by rescue teams prevented a tragic outcome, and the crew member was swiftly transported to the Paradip Port Authority Hospital. Subsequently, he was shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for more advanced medical attention. Officials speculate that the crew’s prolonged detention, extending over one and a half months, might have driven the crew member to take such drastic measures.
The MV Debi had docked at Paradip port after its journey from Gresik Port in Indonesia on November 29. Acting on intelligence indicating potential drug concealment, customs officers conducted a search on the ship during the night of November 30 to December 1. This operation led to the discovery of 22 packets, magnetically affixed and concealed in the ship’s cranes.
The vessel, managed by a crew of Vietnamese nationals under the banner of Asia Pacific Shipping Co Ltd, registered in Panama, raised suspicions due to its last port of call. The Panama-registered ship, en route to Denmark, became the center of attention as customs officials seized over 20 kg of cocaine, valued at ₹220 crores in the market.
A total of ten individuals, including three Vietnamese crew members, six crane operators from Paradip port, and a managerial-level employee of a stevedoring agency, are currently under the scrutiny of various probe agencies in connection with the high-profile drug seizure.
Users Today : 5
Users Yesterday : 7