A major anti-drug operation unfolded in the Atlantic, not far from the coast of Lisbon. Spanish and French law enforcement joined forces to stop a speedboat carrying over two tons of cocaine. The vessel, about 12 meters long and equipped with three powerful engines, drew the attention of authorities after it experienced technical problems.
According to investigators, the boat had just offloaded part of its cargo and was waiting for help from accomplices to transfer the drugs to Galicia for further distribution. However, the plans were thwarted by a French military frigate, which boarded the vessel after warning shots were fired. The crew’s attempts to dispose of the illegal cargo failed — the entire shipment was seized, and four men, reportedly from Latin America, were detained.
In the early hours of Sunday, when it became clear the boat could not escape pursuit, the crew tried to throw the cocaine overboard. Despite this, officers managed not only to stop the vessel but also to recover the entire quantity of drugs. In the port of A Coruña, preparations were already underway to receive the detainees and confiscated substances for transfer to the court.
The boat itself could not be towed due to extensive damage—after several failed attempts, it sank. The investigation is being conducted by Spain’s special anti-narcotics prosecutor, and it all began with information received from American counterparts about a possible large shipment of cocaine crossing the Atlantic. As a result of coordinated actions by police and the military, the drugs did not reach Spanish territory and all those involved were apprehended.
