The operation began after the Portuguese Air Force detected three high-speed boats suspected of transporting illicit substances during a routine maritime surveillance mission. This information was relayed to the Polícia Judiciária, which coordinated a joint operation with the Polícia Marítima and the Portuguese Navy.
The pursuit of one of the suspicious vessels lasted approximately 40 minutes and took place in adverse weather conditions, as detailed by Portuguese authorities. During the escape, the occupants of the boat threw several fuel drums into the sea towards the police vessels to hinder their approach and prevent boarding.
Despite the deployment of specialized resources, including tactical vessels and naval fusiliers, the boat ultimately managed to escape. This incident occurred hours after a tragic event in waters near Huelva, where two Guardia Civil officers died during an intervention against another vessel linked to drug trafficking.
“"The Portuguese National Maritime Authority highlighted the cooperation between police and maritime forces in the fight against organized drug trafficking and also expressed solidarity with the Guardia Civil for the incident that occurred that same day in waters near the Andalusian coast."
This episode once again highlights the increasing activity of narco-boats in the Gulf of Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the main routes used for hashish and cocaine trafficking between North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.
