In recent days, the Portuguese Judicial Police, in close cooperation with the Portuguese Navy and the Portuguese Air Force, intercepted a container vessel during a maritime operation that resulted in the seizure of approximately five tonnes of cocaine destined for the European market.
The operation led to the arrest of two individuals found clandestinely on board the vessel, as well as one crew member suspected of involvement in the trafficking venture. Several items allegedly used to facilitate the navigation, overboard deployment and subsequent recovery of the narcotics were also seized.
The investigation began shortly after intelligence was first shared through the Centre and is being developed in close cooperation with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Spanish National Police.
The container vessel was subsequently escorted by the Portuguese Navy to the Port of Sines, where the narcotics were offloaded.
This successful operation once again highlights MAOC-N’s role as a platform for intelligence sharing and international cooperation, demonstrating how timely intelligence exchange can rapidly translate into operational results and lead to the successful disruption of large-scale maritime drug trafficking within just a few days of the initial information being shared.
Press release: https://www.policiajudiciaria.pt/operacao-skydrop-intercetado-porta-contentores-com-cinco-toneladas-de-cocaina/
