Kenya Raids Höegh Car Carrier Suspected of Carrying Drugs and Firearms

Update: Höegh Autoliners has confirmed that the vessel beneath investigation is its Höegh Transporter, a 6,500 ceu Pure Car/Truck Carrier (PCTC). An announcement from Höegh Autoliners stated the next:

Höegh Transporter berthed in Mombasa, Kenya Thursday 17 September within the afternoon for an everyday discharge operation.

The vessel got here from Mumbai, India. After berthing, the vessel was boarded by Kenyan authorities, who requested to examine the cargo to be discharged in Mombasa. The vessel’s crew, our native agent in Kenya and Höegh Autoliners’ native African operations group is cooperating absolutely with Kenyan authorities. We at this level have no idea when the inspection shall be accomplished and the vessel cleared to sail.

Earlier:

By Joseph Akwiri

MOMBASA, Kenya Sept 18 (Reuters) – Kenyan police raided a ship docked within the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa on Friday, on suspicion that it carried medicine and firearms, officers stated.

East Africa has turn into a key export route for Afghan heroin destined for Europe. Regional maritime forces, in need of funds and anti-trafficking experience, have struggled to stem the circulate of medication via their territorial waters.

Kenyan troopers and safety personnel cordoned off your entire port for hours earlier than seizing the ship, paralyzing East Africa’s largest port, which serves as the primary gateway for imports and exports within the area.

“Based on intelligence gathered, the ship is suspected to be carrying fire arms and drugs, but we shall confirm that once the inspection is done,” stated Francis Wanjohi, the Kenyan coastal area’s police commander.

Wanjohi didn’t give additional particulars, however police sources instructed Reuters the ship is German-owned and named Mv Hoegh.

In July, Kenyan police seized 341.7 kg of heroin hidden within the diesel tank of a ship the largest single seizure of medication ever on the Indian Ocean port.

Heroin is usually transported from Pakistan and Iran to east Africa, identified for its porous borders and weak maritime surveillance, and onwards to Europe.

In November, an Australian Navy warship patrolling Indian Ocean waters within the area seized heroin price $158 million. Another Australian warship raided a dhow with 1,023 kg of heroin on board close to Kenya in April 2014

Mombasa handles imports equivalent to gas and shopper items for Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, and tea and low exports of your entire area. (Writing by Aaron Maasho; Editing by George Obulutsa, Larry King)