The MSC Gayane, the vessel seized by US authorities after it was found with approximately 20 tonnes of cocaine, has been released after MSC paid US$50 million, according to US Attorney William m. McSwain.
PTI reported on the story when it originally broke in June 2019 when the MSC Gayane was stopped at the Port of Philadelphia with $1 billion of cocaine on board it what was described as “one of the largest drug seizures in United States history”.
Under the terms of the release deal, MSC has paid a $10 million security deposit and a $40 million surety bond. The carrier, along with the ship’s registered owner, Bermuda-based Meridian 7 Ltd, has also agreed to submit to the jurisdiction of US courts while the investigation continues.
The vessel set sail from the US on Monday and is reportedly on its way to the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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