A significant cache of fuel, totaling 1,750 liters and stored in 70 plastic canisters, has been discovered and confiscated by authorities within a cave located on the Rock of Gibraltar. The find occurred in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, a highly protected area.
The operation, conducted by officers from the Royal Gibraltar Police's (RGP) Proximity Policing Team, took place at a strategic point in the Strait of Gibraltar, considered a maritime gateway to the Iberian Peninsula from the Moroccan coast. The seized fuel is suspected to have been intended for supplying the powerful boats used by drug trafficking networks.
“"The illicit and dangerous practice of storing large quantities of fuel in plastic containers is related to the logistical supply of vessels involved in drug trafficking across the Strait of Gibraltar."
According to a press release from the Gibraltar Information Service, the seizure was made on Saturday, June 6th, with the assistance of other RGP officers, the Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service, and Her Majesty's Customs. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
Authorities emphasized that, in addition to removing this supply from traffickers, the discovery has mitigated a significant risk of fire or explosion within the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, particularly crucial during the current high-risk season.
The Royal Gibraltar Police has appealed to the public for any information regarding the purchase or storage of large quantities of fuel in plastic canisters, or for any detection of intense odors that might indicate its presence, urging individuals to come forward to aid the investigation.
The Upper Rock Nature Reserve is renowned for its biodiversity, panoramic views, and historical and military significance. It features attractions such as the Barbary macaques, St. Michael's Cave, and the Great Siege and World War II Tunnels, intricate military labyrinths carved into the rock.
