More than two tons of hashish were seized and three men were arrested for drug trafficking in an operation that took place off the Algarve, in international waters, yesterday, the 23rd.
This joint action, which involved the National Maritime Authority (AMN), the Portuguese Navy, the Judiciary Police and the Air Force, also resulted in the seizure of a vessel.
According to AMN, an Air Force aircraft "detected a suspicious situation of transporting narcotic drugs by sea, about 50 nautical miles (approximately 92 kilometers) south of mainland territory."
Immediately, «a joint operation was launched, in articulation between the Regional Command of the Maritime Police of the South and the Judiciary Police, with the commitment of two high-speed vessels of the Maritime Police, a fast assault boat with elements of the approaching platoon of the Navy and elements of the Maritime Police, and two rapid surveillance boats from the Navy».
"After the suspicious vessel was intercepted, with the support of air resources, an approach to the vessel was carried out. Three crew members were arrested and taken to the port of Faro. At the place where the vessel was intercepted, it was possible to detect and collect 59 bales of drugs, weighing around 35 kilos each,” he added.
The 59 bales of hash, "with a total weight of about 2100 kg, as well as the vessel where the suspects were following, were seized as a precautionary measure."
The vessel's crew, aged between 34 and 41, were arrested and will be presented to court.
The investigation is being carried out by the Judiciary Police.
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