Panama detains North Korean-flagged ship
- 11 years ago
A North Korean-flagged ship from Cuba is detained in Panama as it headed to the Panama Canal.
Authorities say it was hiding weapons in brown sugar containers, sparking a standoff in which the ship's captain attempted to commit suicide.
Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli was at the scene.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT RICARDO MARTINELLI SAYING:
"There was great resistance on the part of the captain and the 35 crew members. Initially it seemed like a heart attack, but then the captain tried to commit suicide."
He said undeclared weapons were detected inside containers when authorities stopped the ship, suspecting it was carrying drugs.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT RICARDO MARTINELLI SAYING:
"We simply cannot allow the passage of this kind of war material without declaring it through a country or hiding it. As you can see here we are going to continue unloading the whole ship until we know what there is on board
Authorities say it was hiding weapons in brown sugar containers, sparking a standoff in which the ship's captain attempted to commit suicide.
Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli was at the scene.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT RICARDO MARTINELLI SAYING:
"There was great resistance on the part of the captain and the 35 crew members. Initially it seemed like a heart attack, but then the captain tried to commit suicide."
He said undeclared weapons were detected inside containers when authorities stopped the ship, suspecting it was carrying drugs.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT RICARDO MARTINELLI SAYING:
"We simply cannot allow the passage of this kind of war material without declaring it through a country or hiding it. As you can see here we are going to continue unloading the whole ship until we know what there is on board