Portugal’s Judicial Police seized nearly 10 tonnes of hashish, packed in 333 bales in a concealed compartment, from a former fishing vessel refitted as a Dutch-flagged recreational boat intercepted in international waters off the Strait of Gibraltar.[1][2] The vessel, which had come from Morocco and was bound for another North African country for onward distribution, was escorted to the naval point at Portimao, where the drugs were unloaded under heavy police surveillance.[1][2]

Six men aged 20 to 61, including two Portuguese nationals, were arrested on suspicion of belonging to a transnational drug-trafficking organisation with strong support in Portugal.[1][2] The seizure followed a year-long investigation by the National Unit to Combat Drug Trafficking with Europol, the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics and Spanish, French, Dutch and Greek authorities, supported by the Portuguese Navy and Air Force.[1][2]