N. Korea-Bound Ship With 'Military Cargo' Detained By Panama 105
HonorPoncaCityDotCom writes "BBC reports that a North Korean-flagged ship carrying suspected 'sophisticated missile equipment' bound from Cuba to North Korea has been stopped near Manzanillo on the Atlantic side of the canal. President Ricardo Martinelli said the authorities were checking the ship for drugs when they found the suspected weapons in containers of brown sugar. Experts believe the communist state is working towards developing a nuclear warhead small enough to put on a long-range missile. Under UN sanctions, North Korea is banned from weapons exports and the import of all but small arms. The 35-member crew have been detained, including the captain who the Panamanian president said tried to kill himself during the search. Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino said the ship 'aroused suspicion by the violent reaction of the captain and the crew.' Martinelli also published a photograph that appeared to show two large green containers, adding that the arms shipment had been uncovered 'in containers underneath a cargo of sugar.'" Also at the New York Times.
Re:As it turns out... (Score:4, Funny)
Given the starvation rates in North Korea, I'm pretty sure the people would have welcomed just the sugar alone.
Re:Those crazy North Koreans! (Score:5, Funny)
No, no, no. In Soviet Russia, you sneak missiles into Cuba. In non-Soviet era, Cuba sneaks missiles into you!
This is starting to sound like a prison joke.
The Rolling Stones had this to say (Score:4, Funny)
Cuban airplane bound for Kim Jong's land
Downed in a market-driven US friend
Scarred old pilot knows he's doing all right
'til he's caught by capitalists just around midnight.
Brown sugar! How come you smell so good?
Brown sugar! Just like a missile should.
Re:As it turns out... (Score:4, Funny)
You assume the sugar would be going to the general people. Jim Jong-Un was planning on baking lots of cookies. To share with Dennis Rodman on his next visit.
Jim Jong-Un is the greatest baker in the world. Great chefs from around the world come to North Korea to get his cookie making advice. His cookies are so great, flour and sugar come to North Korea on their own just to be in his cookies.
Re:Blowing up like ... (Score:5, Funny)
i found it more interesting that somehow panama has a say
See, nobody ever reads the ToS for the Panama Canal either.
Remember, next time you want to ship drugs and guns across the globe, GO AROUND THE HORN.
Don't be daring and cheap at the same time.