N Korean ship seized with Cuban weapons 'free to leave' Panama

Soviet-era fighter jet engines were found in the containers
The Panama Canal Authority says a
North Korean ship seized seven
months ago with undeclared Cuban
weapons on board is free to go after Pyongyang paid a fine of nearly $700,000 (£425,000).
The ship was carrying 25 containers, with Soviet-era weapons and fighter jets
hidden under sacks of sugar.
Three crew members, including the
captain, will remain in Panama to face weapons trafficking charges.
United Nation sanctions ban any country from providing arms to North Korea.
The Canal Authority initially imposed a fine of nearly $1m - eventually reduced to $693,000 - for breach of navigation
regulations.
It says the undeclared cargo endangered Panama's internal security.
"Having received the fine and in strict accordance with its regulations the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has
authorised the departure of the ship," it said in a statement.