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N. Korea-Bound Ship With 'Military Cargo' Detained By Panama

Posted by timothy on from the no-crisis-if-the-missiles-are-moving-that-direction dept.

HonorPoncaCityDotCom writes "BBC reports that a North Korean-flagged ship carrying suspected 'sophisticated missile equipment' bound from Cuba to North Korea has been stopped near Manzanillo on the Atlantic side of the canal. President Ricardo Martinelli said the authorities were checking the ship for drugs when they found the suspected weapons in containers of brown sugar. Experts believe the communist state is working towards developing a nuclear warhead small enough to put on a long-range missile. Under UN sanctions, North Korea is banned from weapons exports and the import of all but small arms. The 35-member crew have been detained, including the captain who the Panamanian president said tried to kill himself during the search. Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino said the ship 'aroused suspicion by the violent reaction of the captain and the crew.' Martinelli also published a photograph that appeared to show two large green containers, adding that the arms shipment had been uncovered 'in containers underneath a cargo of sugar.'" Also at the New York Times.

5 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. As it turns out... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 5, Informative

    The sugar was both the cover and the sophisticated missile technology...

    Crafty, crafty.

  2. Re:Blowing up like ... by Cwix · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Maybe it was because the ship was going through the Panama Canal.

    --
    You are entitled to your own opinions, not your own facts.
  3. Re:Blowing up like ... by SJHillman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's no different than the US having jurisdiction over shipments on US interstates between Mexico and Canada. What, did you think every cargo vehicle passing through got automatic diplomatic immunity?

  4. Re:Blowing up like ... by dreamchaser · · Score: 5, Informative

    The canal has been under the control of the Panamanian government since 1999.

  5. Re:Blowing up like ... by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 5, Funny

    i found it more interesting that somehow panama has a say

    See, nobody ever reads the ToS for the Panama Canal either.

    Remember, next time you want to ship drugs and guns across the globe, GO AROUND THE HORN.

    Don't be daring and cheap at the same time.

    --
    My God, it's Full of Source!
    OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)