An LNG carrier controlled by Teekay LNG has left Trinidad after an investigation discovered cocaine in the ship’s rudder.
A spokesman for Teekay confirmed reports that cocaine was found onboard the 140,500-cbm Hispania Spirit (built 2002) while the vessel was at the Atlantic LNG terminal at Point Fortin.
A statement from the company said: "The LNG carrier Hispania Spirit was involved in a situation in Port Fortin in Trinidad & Tobago on 3 April 2019.
"During one of the regular scheduled vessel security inspections in port, suspicious packages were discovered in the rudder trunk space by crew members.
"The crew immediately informed local authorities and, alongside Teekay’s operations team, fully cooperated with them throughout their thorough investigation.
"The vessel – and the entire crew – has been cleared to continue operations and has departed Trinidad & Tobago."
Local press reports said 200kg of cocaine in seven wrapped bales were discovered when the captain was checking the vessel after which the authorities were contacted.
The Hispania Spirit is believed to be heading for Spain.
This is the second time the Hispania Spirit's crew has reported drugs in the rudder area.
In September 2015 they reported to the Peruvian authorities that they had found a stowaway and, what turned out to be, 211kg of cocaine in the vessel’s rudder trunk.
The ship had been en route to the Manzanillo LNG terminal in Mexico when the man and drugs were discovered off Pisco, Peru.
