Five Crewmembers Arrested for Concealing Narcotics on Product Tanker Scot Bremen
The recent arrest of five crewmembers from the product tanker Scot Bremen has shed light on a major drug smuggling attempt that took place off the coast of Belgium. The vessel’s master made a shocking discovery when he found the crew concealing packages of narcotics on board, prompting immediate action.
The incident unfolded when Scot Bremen arrived off Ostend, Belgium after a voyage from Pecem, Brazil. As the vessel anchored to await a pilot for entry into port, the master uncovered the crew’s illicit activities. The discovery led to the cancellation of the pilot boarding, as Belgian authorities were notified, and the crewmembers in question were isolated while their cell phones were confiscated.
Due to adverse weather conditions, law enforcement officials were unable to board the ship immediately. The vessel remained at anchor overnight before navigating to the port of Zeebrugge the following day. Upon inspection by Belgian customs, “significant quantities” of cocaine were seized, leading to the arrest of the five crewmembers involved.
The master of Scot Bremen was praised for his swift action in reporting the incident, preserving evidence, and cooperating with the investigation. Following the seizure, the vessel was cleared to resume its commercial voyage, with replacement crewmembers scheduled to join the ship for its next destination in Zelzate, Belgium.
Meanwhile, in a related development, eight individuals were apprehended at a marina in Blankenberge, Belgium, suspected of attempting to retrieve the contraband from the tanker while it was anchored off the coast. The group is under investigation for forming a criminal gang, as authorities work to unravel the full extent of the smuggling operation.
Scot Tankers, the operator of Scot Bremen, continues to cooperate with Belgian authorities as the case unfolds. The company is committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of its operations, while upholding the highest standards of maritime security.
As the investigation progresses, the shipping industry remains vigilant against illicit activities at sea, underscoring the importance of robust security measures and proactive monitoring to combat drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the maritime domain.
Image: A SCOT-8000 tanker (Niels Johannes / CC BY SA 4.0)