The US Department of Justice has announced that another duo of MSC Gayane crew members has been sentenced for the 2019 cocaine seizure, worth US$1 million.
The drug bust in Philadelphia was the largest in the history of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The US District Court found two former crew members, Ivan Durasevic, 31 the second officer of the vessel, and Nenad Ilic, 41, an engine cadet, guilty on charges of conspiracy of possessing cocaine onboard vessel, with intent to distribute in the United States.
The drug seizure occurred on 17 June 17 2019 at the Philadelphia port, where 20 tons of cocaine were found inside containers onboard the 10,776TEU MSC Gayane after it was boarded by law enforcement agents at the Packer Marine Terminal.
The two crew members have suffered a similar fate to five other crew members of the vessel, who were sentenced on similar grounds, after pleading guilty to the charges. Durasevic has been sentenced a six and a half years in prison, while Ilic has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
According to the Justice Department, the two crew members were co-conspirators of the smuggling of cocaine. The crew indulged in such illegal activities on multiple occasions, during the sailing period of MSC Gayane. The covert activities took place in the dark of the night in the middle of the ocean when cocaine packages were lifted in cargo nets from speedboats using cranes onboard.
The containers were opened against the bent railings, and cocaine was concealed between other legitimate cargo and the container was resealed using fake seals by the crew. Both crew members headed the smuggling and coordinated reception and delivery through ‘narco’ phones.
As the multi-agency investigation into the case continues to find ultimate suppliers, a sixth crew member, Aleksandar Kavaja, the electrician also awaits appropriate justice.
Ankur Kundu
Correspondent
