Patriot missiles found on ship in Finland

Patriot missiles found on ship in Finland

The Finnish authorites said they have found around 160 tons of explosives and 69 surface-to-air missiles on a cargo ship bearing a British flag and ultimately destined for China on Wednesday. An official later told CBS News he doesn't believe they're connected to terrorism.

The MS Thor Liberty had docked in the Finnish port of Kotka after leaving German port of Emden on Dec. 13 to pick up a cargo of anchor chains. Its final destination was Shanghai, but it wasn't clear whether that's where the arms shipment was going, officials said.

Police are questioning the crew of the MS Thor Liberty. Interior Minister Paivi Rasanen said the missiles were marked "fireworks".

"Actually in our investigation at the moment, we have got the information that we found 69 Patriot missiles on the ship and around 160 tonnes of explosives," said Detective Superintendent Timo Virtanen from the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation.

Virtanen told CBS News that the ship didn't have permission to transport the explosives and missiles via Finland and that the explosives were improperly packed, both of which are illegal.

"As far as we can make out the shipment was legal," he said. "They were not trying to smuggle the missiles ... they are destined for South Korea."

Patriot missiles, designed by the US company Raytheon, are supplied to "US and allied forces", according to the company's website. South Korea is among states which deploy them.