Another day, another major drug bust off the coast of the Algarve
Three men were arrested and more than 2.5 tonnes of hashish were seized in a joint operation carried out in international waters off the coast of the Algarve in the early hours of Tuesday morning (March 21).
The men were all foreigners – two Moroccan and one Spanish – and the drugs were divided into 77 bales and carried on a speedboat which was intercepted around 70 nautical miles (around 129 kilometres) south of Portugal.
The operation was carried out by the National Maritime Authority, Portuguese Navy, Portuguese Air Force and PJ police.
“A Portuguese Air Force plane detected three suspicious speedboats, although only one was intercepted. The other two fled to Spanish waters and Portuguese authorities informed Spanish authorities,” Portuguese Navy spokesperson José Sousa Luís told reporters.
It has been widely reported that authorities are detecting an increase in drug trafficking through the Algarve, especially since stricter laws were imposed in Spain.
“We have beaten all records this year in terms of drug trafficking. This could be due to an increase in (drug trafficking) activity through Portugal, but also because our police forces have been bolstered and we have changed our tactics,” the spokesperson said.
While the new tactics seem to be working, many have wondered whether Portuguese authorities can handle the pressure. Sousa Luís is certain they can.
“The results are in plain sight. These changes have been a success. The Navy will maintain its commitment to fighting drug trafficking,” he said.
The seized drugs were delivered to PJ police who will continue the investigation.
On March 15, another major drug bust took place in Albufeira. Six people were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and 1.2 tons of cocaine believed to be worth more than €30 million were seized.
