site.btaBulgarian Ship Being Checked for Suspected Drug Trafficking at Irish Port

A ship owned by Navigation Maritime Bulgare is being checked at Ireland's Shannon Foynes Port for suspected drug trafficking, according to information of the Bulgarian company. The Executive Director of Navigation Maritime Bulgare, Captain Alexander Kalchev, told BTA that the Verila has not been detained; she has been boarded for the check.

The company has not been officially informed about the check by the local Irish authorities. According to unofficial information of a Navigation Maritime Bulgare agent, an investigation is underway into suspected drug smuggling. In Kalchev's words, if that is true, it is a serious violation of the company's procedures and a crime.