Philly Cocaine Seizure Largest In Customs History: Authorities

PHILADELPHIA — Federal authorities Friday elaborated on the major cocaine seizure at a Philadelphia seaport that occurred earlier in the week.

Authorities said during a press conference Friday that more than $1 billion in cocaine was seized from the MSC Gayane at the Packer Marine Terminal in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 18.

Officials said 17.5 tons, or about 35,000 pounds, were seized from the ship in 15,000 kilpogram bricks.

According to CBP, this is the largest cocaine seizure in the agency's 230 year history.

At the press conference, officials said laid end to end, all bricks of cocaine seized are about two and a half miles long.

Additionally, six crew members were arrested and charged with federal drug smuggling crimes in connection with the seizure. They all face life in prison. Officials said they are all foreigners from various countries, but did not elaborate on where they hail from.

Two of those being charged are Ivan Durasevic and Forofaavae Tiasaga.

Durasevic told authorities he was offered $50,000 to bring the cocaine onto the ship, officials allege.

The ship was head to North America and Europe after stopping in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

The investigation began on Sunday, June 16.

That night, Customs and Border Protection and Coast Guard ordered the Gayane to be anchored at the port.

Authorities detected anomalies in seven shipping containers and later used dogs, x-rays, and other tools to examine the containers.

About 15,000 kilogram-sized bricks of what tested positive as cocaine were found.