A high-speed vessel used for international drug trafficking between North Africa and the southern coast of Portugal was caught early this Friday in an operation by the Maritime Administration, Navy and Air Force. The action took place 150 km south of Portugal. The ship was carrying 30 canisters of fuel and on board were five men, Spanish and Moroccan, aged 29 to 41, who were arrested, according to authorities.
“Following this joint mission, other vessels associated with drug trafficking were also identified and monitored by the Portuguese Air Force, which were subsequently pursued with the help of the Maritime Police and the Portuguese Navy,” the Maritime Authority said in a statement.
The hijacked ship and the detainees were taken to the port of Faro “for investigation”.
“The National Maritime Authority, the Portuguese Navy and the Air Force continue to carry out tasks to combat drug trafficking in southern Portugal, having carried out the arrest of 61 people since the beginning of the year, the seizure of 26 speedboats and 29.5 tons of drugs,” the message says.