One of the new seizure of around 8,6 tons of hashish, which took place this Thursday, January 2, shows that there is "an increase" in the transport of drugs off the coast of the Algarve, a "reality" to which the authorities guarantee to be "attentive".
The statements are by Fernando Jordão, director of the Judiciary Police (PJ) of Faro, and were made to journalists this Thursday afternoon, at Porto Comercial de Faro.
According to this official, the increase in the transport of «this type of drug is not normal, but it is a reality». Just last Saturday, January 28th, there was a similar seizure, also of hashish (4,5 tonnes) off the coast of the Algarve.
«I think that the authorities, by being more attentive, also detect more cases», highlighted Fernando Jordão.
Regarding today's seizure, Santos Pereira, commander of the Southern Maritime Zone, explained that a Portuguese Air Force (FAP) plane began by identifying a first vessel, about 70 miles from the coast, "loaded" with drugs.
Later, about three hours later, the Maritime Police detected another semi-speed boat, about 80 miles away, also with hashish.
The area is already known to the authorities, since «vessels of this type are often located there».
In total, 8,6 tons of hashish were seized and eight men, aged between 34 and 40, were arrested.
According to Fernando Jordão, the individuals are «of Moroccan and Spanish nationality».
Asked whether these people have any connection with the other drug seizures that have taken place off the coast of the Algarve, the director of the PJ explained only that there are "several networks that are dedicated to the transport of hashish from Morocco to our coast".
«What these networks do is to take advantage of the opportunity, with support on land, to make unloadings and then it can be both in Portugal and in Spain», he explained.
Moreover, according to Fernando Jordão, such a large quantity of drugs would not have «only the Portuguese market as its destination».
«We are talking about a wider European market», he stressed.
What is certain is that there is currently «a very great concern [on the part of the authorities] and knowledge of the modus operandi these networks to carry out these downloads», guaranteed Fernando Jordão.
Bernardo da Costa, spokesman for the Portuguese Air Force, stressed that this operation, in which the FAP plane flew at a «stealth height», without being identified, showed how «there are procedures, routines, knowledge and technology» that allow the positive outcome of this type of action.
«With all this combined, the conditions are met for situations like this to happen more often», he concluded.
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