Lunita Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The bulk carrier 'Lunita' is currently under investigation in South Korea following the discovery of a large cocaine stash on board. The vessel docked at Okgye Port in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, on April 1, 2023, and was subject to inspection by South Korean officials from the Korea Coast Guard and Seoul Regional Customs Office on April 2. This thorough search was initiated based on intelligence from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations. Authorities uncovered a total of 50 tightly wrapped bundles of cocaine, weighing approximately 20 kilograms each, cleverly concealed in the engine room of the ship. In total, the seized drugs amounted to a staggering two metric tons, with the Korea Customs Service estimating their street value at an impressive $679.6 million. The ship's crew, consisting of 20 Filipino nationals, has remained on board and has not yet been formally detained or charged as investigations continue. While South Korean authorities explore the potential involvement of the crew in the drug trafficking, they are also considering the possibility that a single individual may be responsible, or that the narcotics were smuggled onto the vessel at an earlier port. On April 3, the Norwegian shipowner, J.J. Ugland Companies, publicly acknowledged the drug seizure, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the methods used to transport the drugs onto the 'Lunita'. The company has enlisted legal representation for the crew, while the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has pledged to provide legal support. Government lawyers are set to join the legal team within the next few days, ensuring that the rights of the Filipino crew members are upheld. The DMW is also collaborating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to guarantee that the crew receives comprehensive assistance, reiterating their presumption of innocence under the law. Meanwhile, the 'Lunita' remains docked at Okgye Port as the investigation unfolds.

On April 7, 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced an ongoing investigation led by South Korean authorities concerning the bulk carrier 'Lunita,' which was found to be transporting two tons of suspected cocaine. At the time of the incident, the vessel was operated by a crew of Filipino nationals. Fortunately, none of the crew members were detained, although they remain under investigation by local law enforcement. Authorities are diligently examining the crew's involvement in drug trafficking, with potential charges and detentions forthcoming. The raid took place on April 2 at Okgye Port in Gangneung, located in Gangwon Province, following a tip-off from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. South Korean Customs Service and the Korea Coast Guard collaborated on the operation, which resulted in the discovery of 57 boxes containing the illicit substance. The ship's owner has taken steps to ensure legal support for the Filipino crew, having already provided them with legal representation. The DFA stands ready to extend additional legal assistance via the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) should it be necessary. Currently, the DFA is awaiting a detailed report from the Philippine embassies situated in Seoul and Oslo to further guide their response.