• 2 min de lectura
• 2 min de lectura
The Portuguese Judicial Police, through the National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking, carried out a police operation to intercept a container ship transporting an illegal cargo of approximately five tons of cocaine.
The mission was conducted in coordination and cooperation with the Portuguese Navy and Air Force. The action allowed for the dismantling of a criminal group dedicated to introducing large quantities of drugs into the European continent through maritime transport.
The vessel, originating from a Latin American country, was detected and boarded approximately 640 nautical miles off Lisbon, which is equivalent to 1,185 kilometers, under conditions described by the police force as extremely difficult.
Inside the vessel, two foreigners in an irregular situation and without documentation were found and arrested, and several objects used for navigation, throwing drugs into the sea, and transporting cocaine were seized.
Following the investigations carried out and after the identification and arrest of the two stowaways, a crew member, also a foreigner, was identified and arrested under strong suspicion of being involved in the criminal scheme.
The investigation began as a result of information shared with MAOC-N (Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics) and in collaboration and coordination with police authorities from the United Kingdom (National Crime Agency) and Spain (Policia Nacional).
The container ship transporting the stowaways and drugs was escorted by the Navy to the Port of Sines, where it finally docked.
