Philippine coast guard authorities say they have inspected a North Korean cargo vessel reportedly involved in smuggling of weapons of mass destruction.
The M/V Jin Teng arrived in Zambales yesterday, anchored about 14 kilometers from Subic Bay.
“The PCG’s Port State Control Division in Subic boarded the ship but found no weapons. The vessel was carrying agricultural products,” a Coast Guard official who asked not to be identified said.
The vessel arrived at Subic port at 4 p.m. and Coast Guard personnel, with a K9 team, conducted an inspection that ended at 7 p.m.
The M/V Jin Teng, which came from Balembang, Indonesia, was found loaded with palm kernel and other agricultural products, the PCG official said.
“This is not the first time that a North Korean ship docked in the country,” he added.
Jin Teng is among 31 vessels that could be forced to stop trading after being included in an asset freeze against a North Korean shipping company under the tightened sanctions passed unanimously by the United Nations on Wednesday.
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