Guatemala, US Officials Find 3 Tons of Cocaine on Boxship

Guatemalan and US officials have seized up to 3 tons of cocaine hidden in false-bottomed compartments aboard the Tanzania-flagged containership Tiamat.

The 1995-built containership was intercepted in the waters off the coast of Guatemala in the Pacific and taken to Puerto Quetzal in early May, according to AIS data provided by Marine Traffic.

Once the vessel docked, the authorities launched an inspection aboard, discovering some 3 tons of cocaine so far. The 8,717 dwt vessel remains in Puerto Quetzal where the inspection process continues.

Thirteen persons who were aboard the ship at the time, including citizens of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, were detained.

The drugs aboard Tiamat, which was en route from Ecuador to Ensenada, Mexico, were reportedly destined for North America.

World Maritime News Staff; Image Courtesy: Guatemalan Army