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The Star
18-07-2025
- The Star
Greek owner of cocaine-loaded vessel seized in 2023 denies charges, lawyer says
FILE PHOTO: A police car is seen as police officers discharge drugs from the cattle ship Orion V seized off the Canary Islands, in the port of Las Palmas, in the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, January 26, 2023. REUTERS/Borja Suarez/File photo ATHENS (Reuters) -The Greek former owner of a cargo ship, seized by Spain in 2023 for carrying more than fourtons of cocaine along with coffee beans from Latin America to Europe, denies any link to drugs, his lawyer said on Friday. In January 2023, Spanish authorities intercepted the then Greek-operated, Togo-flagged vessel Blume, off the Canary Islands, finding cocaine worth about $200 million on board, in one of Spain's biggest cocaine hauls that year. They arrested its crew and took Blume, which had left Brazil for Russia, to the island of Tenerife. Greece this week detained its former owner, 68, his son, 24, and a woman. On Friday, the suspects appeared before a prosecutor to respond to charges that include running an international drug trafficking group at least since 2021. "The main investigation and a potential trial will confirm my clients' innocence," said their lawyer Sakis Kehagioglou, adding that the crew has been convicted over the case. Greek authorities have not named the detainees. A fourth suspect remains at large and is presumed to be in Turkey, said court documents seen by Reuters. Blume was monitored long before being intercepted, the documents said. British police were tipped off about the drug operation in September 2022. After scrutinising Blume's records, Spanish police concluded that it met the profile of vessels conducting ship-to-ship drug transfers. Tenerife authorities raided it on January 18, 2023, confiscating 153 bags of cocaine in a crew member's cabin and a storage room. Greece's probe found that the ship was bought in 2022 by Rentoor Chartering and operated by Dignatio Corp, both Marshall Islands-based companies set up by the 68-year-old suspect, a former police officer with a criminal record, the documents said. The renamed vessel was sold to a Turkish company in May. (Reporting by Yannis Souliotis; Writing by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Straits Times
Greek owner of cocaine-loaded vessel seized in 2023 denies charges, lawyer says
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: A police car is seen as police officers discharge drugs from the cattle ship Orion V seized off the Canary Islands, in the port of Las Palmas, in the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, January 26, 2023. REUTERS/Borja Suarez/File photo ATHENS - The Greek former owner of a cargo ship, seized by Spain in 2023 for carrying more than four tons of cocaine along with coffee beans from Latin America to Europe, denies any link to drugs, his lawyer said on Friday. In January 2023, Spanish authorities intercepted the then Greek-operated, Togo-flagged vessel Blume, off the Canary Islands, finding cocaine worth about $200 million on board, in one of Spain's biggest cocaine hauls that year. They arrested its crew and took Blume, which had left Brazil for Russia, to the island of Tenerife. Greece this week detained its former owner, 68, his son, 24, and a woman. On Friday, the suspects appeared before a prosecutor to respond to charges that include running an international drug trafficking group at least since 2021. "The main investigation and a potential trial will confirm my clients' innocence," said their lawyer Sakis Kehagioglou, adding that the crew has been convicted over the case. Greek authorities have not named the detainees. A fourth suspect remains at large and is presumed to be in Turkey, said court documents seen by Reuters. Blume was monitored long before being intercepted, the documents said. British police were tipped off about the drug operation in September 2022. After scrutinising Blume's records, Spanish police concluded that it met the profile of vessels conducting ship-to-ship drug transfers. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore HSA looking to get anti-vape cyber surveillance tool with AI capabilities Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore Residents in South West District get help to improve employability, find career opportunities Singapore Jail for contraband cigarette syndicate member over conspiracy to give bribes to security officer Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore in Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs Tenerife authorities raided it on January 18, 2023, confiscating 153 bags of cocaine in a crew member's cabin and a storage room. Greece's probe found that the ship was bought in 2022 by Rentoor Chartering and operated by Dignatio Corp, both Marshall Islands-based companies set up by the 68-year-old suspect, a former police officer with a criminal record, the documents said. The renamed vessel was sold to a Turkish company in May. REUTERS
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
Greece arrests three over cocaine-loaded ship seized by Spain in 2023
ATHENS (Reuters) -Greece has arrested three people linked with a cargo ship seized by Spanish authorities off the Canary Islands in 2023 for carrying more than 4.5 tons of cocaine from Latin America to Europe, three people close to the investigation said on Thursday. The then Greek-operated, Togo-flagged vessel Blume, which had left from Brazil, had declared a 200 tonne cargo of coffee, far below its actual capacity, raising suspicion. On January 18, 2023, Spanish authorities raided the ship, confiscated the drugs worth hundreds of millions of dollars, arrested its entire crew and took the vessel to the port of Santa Cruz on the island of Tenerife. The three people detained this week by the Greek coast guard, following an investigation with the anti-money laundering unit, are believed to be linked to the vessel's Greece-based operator, Dignatio Corp, two officials from both units told Reuters. The suspects, who have initially denied wrongdoing, will appear before a prosecutor to respond to the charges in the coming days, according to a third source. Dignatio Corp could not be reached for comment. In 2023, six days after the interception of Blume, Spanish authorities seized a second Togo-flagged vessel, the cattle ship Orion V, off the Canary Islands, for transporting a similar amount of cocaine. The investigation was assisted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Togo police. ($1 = 0.8591 euros)
The Star
17-07-2025
- The Star
Greece arrests three over cocaine-loaded ship seized by Spain in 2023
FILE PHOTO: Police officers discharge drugs from the cattle ship Orion V that was seized off the Canary Islands, in the port of Las Palmas, in the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, January 26, 2023. REUTERS/Borja Suarez/File photo ATHENS (Reuters) -Greece has arrested three people linked with a cargo ship seized by Spanish authorities off the Canary Islands in 2023 for carrying more than 4.5 tons of cocaine from Latin America to Europe, three people close to the investigation said on Thursday. The then Greek-operated, Togo-flagged vessel Blume, which had left from Brazil, had declared a 200 tonne cargo of coffee, far below its actual capacity, raising suspicion.
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Straits Times
Greece arrests three over cocaine-loaded ship seized by Spain in 2023
FILE PHOTO: Police officers discharge drugs from the cattle ship Orion V that was seized off the Canary Islands, in the port of Las Palmas, in the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, January 26, 2023. REUTERS/Borja Suarez/File photo ATHENS - Greece has arrested three people linked with a cargo ship seized by Spanish authorities off the Canary Islands in 2023 for carrying more than 4.5 tons of cocaine from Latin America to Europe, three people close to the investigation said on Thursday. The then Greek-operated, Togo-flagged vessel Blume, which had left from Brazil, had declared a 200 tonne cargo of coffee, far below its actual capacity, raising suspicion. On January 18, 2023, Spanish authorities raided the ship, confiscated the drugs worth hundreds of millions of dollars, arrested its entire crew and took the vessel to the port of Santa Cruz on the island of Tenerife. The three people detained this week by the Greek coast guard, following an investigation with the anti-money laundering unit, are believed to be linked to the vessel's Greece-based operator, Dignatio Corp, two officials from both units told Reuters. The suspects, who have initially denied wrongdoing, will appear before a prosecutor to respond to the charges in the coming days, according to a third source. Dignatio Corp could not be reached for comment. In 2023, six days after the interception of Blume, Spanish authorities seized a second Togo-flagged vessel, the cattle ship Orion V, off the Canary Islands, for transporting a similar amount of cocaine. The investigation was assisted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Togo police. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Care model to improve trauma outcome in central S'pore fashioned after 'bicycle wheel' Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning Singapore Kpod vapes, zombie kids: Why it's time to raise the alarm Life 11 new entries on Singapore's Bib Gourmand list, including three re-entries at Old Airport Road Singapore 15 under police probe for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams Singapore NEA monitoring E. coli at Sentosa beaches after elevated bacteria levels delay World Aquatics events Life First look at the new Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa
