One man has died during a major anti-drug operation off the Algarve which led to the seizure of around three tonnes of cocaine following a high-speed pursuit at sea.
The operation, codenamed “Mare Nostrum”, was carried out by Portugal’s Polícia Judiciária (PJ) in cooperation with the Portuguese Navy, Maritime Police and Italy’s Guardia di Finanza.
According to the PJ, a high-speed boat was detected around 80 nautical miles south of Faro and intercepted following a pursuit after its crew ignored an order to stop.
Three foreign nationals were found aboard the vessel, together with equipment allegedly used for navigation and transporting the cocaine.
The PJ’s official statement does not mention the fatality, but both Correio da Manhã and SIC Notícias report that one of the men aboard was seriously injured during the operation and subsequently died. CM identifies the three men as Spanish.
Further details surrounding the death have yet to be officially clarified.
International investigation
The operation forms part of an investigation into an organised criminal group suspected of using high-speed boats to bring large quantities of cocaine into Europe.
The PJ says the investigation began through international police cooperation and has been conducted within the framework of MAOC-N – the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics.
The Portuguese Air Force and Spain’s Guardia Civil have also collaborated with investigators, alongside the Italian authorities.
Police say the operation allowed investigators to move forward with dismantling a criminal organisation dedicated to introducing large quantities of drugs into continental Europe.
Sunday’s seizure comes amid mounting concern over the increasing use of high-speed craft for drug trafficking along Portugal’s southern coastline.
The Algarve has seen an almost continuous succession of operations in recent weeks involving high-speed boats and suspected logistical support networks, including seizures of thousands of litres of fuel stored in jerrycans along the coast.
The PJ is due to provide further details about Operation Mare Nostrum at a joint press conference in Lisbon at 4pm this Monday, when more information is expected about the investigation and the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Michael Bruxo
Journalist for the Portugal Resident.