The MSC Gayne was flying under the Liberian flag. (DOMINICK REUTER/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Topline: In one of the largest drug busts in U.S. history, federal authorities in Philadelphia seized nearly 20 tons of cocaine—worth about $1 billion— last month from a ship owned by JP Morgan’s asset management arm.
- 19.76 tons of cocaine (an estimated street value of $1.3 billion, according to Business Insider) were seized from the ship when it arrived at Packer Marine Terminal in Philadelphia on June 17.
- The ship, called MSC Gayne, is operated by Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company, but it was financed by a transportation strategy fund run by JP Morgan’s asset management arm, CNN Business reported.
- Six crew members aboard MSC Gayane have been arrested charged with knowingly and intentionally conspiring to possess more than five kilograms of cocaine, the Justice Department said in a statement.
- The ship was flying under the flag of Liberia, a country in West Africa, according to online vessel tracking website MarineTraffic.
JP Morgan did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
U.S. Attorney William McSwain said in a tweet that the sheer amount of cocaine could have killed “millions” of people. A federal criminal investigation into the alleged smuggling operating is ongoing.
“This is one of the largest drug seizures in United States history. This amount of cocaine could kill millions – MILLIONS – of people. My Office is committed to keeping our borders secure and streets safe from deadly narcotics,” the tweet reads.
This isn’t the first time MSC has experienced problems with drug trafficking aboard its ships. Earlier this year, authorities in Philadelphia found 13 large black duffel bags with a combined 450 bricks of cocaine being shipped in one of MSC’s shipping containers.
“Unfortunately, shipping and logistics companies are from time to time affected by trafficking problems. MSC has a longstanding history of cooperating with U.S. federal law enforcement agencies to help disrupt illegal narcotics trafficking and works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP),” the company said in a statement.
