The operation began with the detection by the Spanish Civil Guard of a suspicious vessel “entering the Guadiana River bar”, having requested the support of the GNR to proceed with its approach and interception, indicated the Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF) of the GNR in a statement.

The crew of the speedboat, suspected of being linked to drug trafficking, equipped with four high-powered engines, managed to flee towards Spanish waters, throwing dozens of bales of hashish into the sea.

Portuguese authorities were unable to intercept the vessel, but they did collect 50 bales of hashish, weighing a total of 1,700 kilos, as well as a satellite phone.


According to the GNR, the drug was seized in Spanish territorial waters, between Portugal and the south of Lepe, in the Spanish province of Andalusia.

The seized material was handed over to Spain's Guardia Civil, the authority coordinating the investigation.

Also today, the National Maritime Authority announced the seizure of 876 kilos of drugs at sea, off the Algarve coast, near Vila Real de Santo António.

The seizure resulted from a maritime patrol and surveillance action south of the mouth of the Guadiana River, in Portuguese territorial waters, the authority specified in a statement.

The drug was packed in 21 bales, totalling around 876 kilos.