Article
Explosives-laden Canadian-owned ship arrested in Honduras; U.S. investigates
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - U.S. experts were examining 900 tonnes of explosives aboard a Canadian-owned but Libyan-flag cargo ship that arrived last week at Puerto Cortes, 220 kilometres north of the Honduran capital, officials said.
The MV Abdul Rahman failed to report it was carrying the explosives, in violation of rules that require 72 hours advance notice, according to Honduran authorities. "The U.S. investigators arrived 24 hours ago and maybe tomorrow will authorize the departure of the ship," Puerto Cortes Superintendent Oscar Contreras said Tuesday.
U.S. Embassy officials could not be reached for comment.
Honduran authorities have described the explosives as Type B and Type E blasting material, accompanied by fuses.
Contreras said similar explosives frequently come through Puerto Cortes for use in mining operations in Honduras. Nevertheless, the detonation of such a load could have destroyed much of the Caribbean port.
The ship, which arrived Nov. 23, was anchored 13 kilometres off shore and guarded by police and soldiers on Tuesday. Its crew remain under arrest in Puerto Cortes, a major Central American port.
The ship's Canadian owner, Egyptian captain and a first officer from the Sudan have been charged by Honduran prosecutors with illegally transporting explosives and threatening the environmental security of Puerto Cortes. They were fined $10,000 US.
Authorities identified the owner as Hassan Bachacha of Canada, but gave no other details.
Foreign Affairs Department spokesman Reynald Doiron said the Canadian Embassy in Costa Rica, which is accredited to Honduras, has been instructed to contact Honduran authorities to obtain more information.
The ship apparently took on the explosives at the Mexican Gulf Coast port of Tampico. It was due to stop in Suriname, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic after leaving Honduras.
It reportedly stopped in Puerto Cortes to unload some 2,000 tonnes of salt.
Threaded Mode
