Working Conditions Aboard the Savona

Andrzej Lasota, the captain of the 'UBC Savannah', has been exonerated of drug trafficking charges in Mexico and has been released after nearly four years of incarceration. Lasota, a Polish national, had been held since July 28, 2019, following a significant cocaine seizure on his vessel. The incident occurred shortly after the ship arrived in Altamira from Barranquilla on July 23, where authorities discovered 227 packages containing 225 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the cargo hold, camouflaged beneath a load of ore. On the night of July 27, Captain Lasota acted promptly upon receiving reports from the crew about suspicious items found during cargo offloading. He ordered an immediate cessation of all cargo operations and secured the cargo holds before alerting local law enforcement. Mexican authorities subsequently boarded the 'UBC Savannah' and conducted an extensive search of the ship, including crew quarters, seizing personal belongings and cash without search warrants. While most crew members were released shortly thereafter, Captain Lasota's detention continued. After extensive efforts by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the captain has finally been acquitted and is now free. This case highlights the complexities of international maritime operations and the serious implications of drug trafficking accusations in global shipping.

On July 28, 2019, Mexican authorities uncovered a significant drug operation aboard the UBC Savannah, a vessel that had recently arrived at Altamira port from Barranquilla on July 23. During an extensive inspection of the ship, law enforcement officials discovered 227 packages containing a total of 225 kilograms of cocaine cleverly concealed within the hold, buried under a load of metallurgical coke. The cocaine was initially detected by the ship's captain, who promptly alerted local authorities, leading to the immediate detention of the UBC Savannah. ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) protocols were heightened in Barranquilla following the incident, and multiple searches were conducted across the vessel, including the holds, deck, superstructure, and even underwater. Investigators have not found any evidence suggesting the crew’s involvement in the drug trafficking operation. Both the ship's managers and its crew are actively collaborating with local authorities to facilitate a thorough investigation. As a result of the incident, 22 crew members were arrested—19 from the Philippines and 3 from Poland. Furthermore, Cypriot police are currently examining any potential connections between the arrested crew and Cypriot nationals. As of August 2, the UBC Savannah remains docked and stationary as investigations continue.