Turkey warns ‘poison merchants’ after cocaine found tied to Berge Bulk anchor chain

Turkey warns ‘poison merchants’ after cocaine found tied to Berge Bulk anchor chain
Gary Dixon 15 Nov 2023 https://www.tradewindsnews.com/bulkers/turkey-warns-poison-merchants-aft...

Capesize Berge Torre was searched by divers in Iskenderun Bay after trip from Colombia

Turkey’s government has warned that drug smuggling will not be tolerated after a seizure of cocaine from a Berge Bulk capesize.

Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said that divers recovered nearly 52kg of the drug tied to the anchor chain of the 176,000-dwt Berge Torre (built 2011).

The bulker was anchored off the coast of Adana Yumurtalik in Iskenderun Bay at the time of the operation.

The Liberia-flag ship had left Puerto Bolivar in Colombia on 19 October.

Statements are being taken from 26 “suspicious persons”, including the captain, chief officers and other seafarers, the minister added.

Footage of the operation showed divers searching the propeller and anchor chain, and officers on board looking under hatches.

Officers are then shown opening bags of cocaine wrapped in blue plastic.

“I want our dear nation to know that we will not tolerate poison dealers. Our ports are being closely monitored,” Yerlikaya said on X.

He added that the General Directorate of Security’s anti-narcotics department had seized 45 packages in two durable plastic bags.

“I congratulate our police, coast guard and Mersin customs enforcement teams who carried out the operation. I kiss your eyes. May God not let stones touch your feet,” the minister said.

Operations being stepped up

“Our operations against poison merchants all around our country will continue increasingly.”

AIS shows the Berge Torre anchored off Ceyhan on Wednesday morning.

Since Yerlikaya became interior minister in June, police operations against drug smugglers have been stepped up, according to the Turkish Minute website.

Singapore’s Berge Bulk has been contacted for comment.