Portugal’s Shift in Anti-Drug Policy
In 2025, Portugal finally changed its approach to the issue of speedboats, which for many years had remained largely unregulated. New legislation, signed by the country’s president at the end of October, imposes stricter rules on the ownership, production, and use of high-speed vessels. Violators now face real prison terms under the new law. The adoption of the law coincided with a tragic incident on the Guadiana River, where a national guard officer was killed during a pursuit of drug traffickers—an event that became a catalyst for accelerating reforms.
Experts note that such a long delay in action allowed criminal groups to use the Portuguese coastline as a safe haven. After Spain introduced a ban on the private use of speedboats in 2018, drug cartels quickly shifted their operations across the border. Portugal’s long coastline and numerous rivers turned it into the ideal location for storing and assembling vessels used to transport cocaine and hashish.
Rising Criminal Activity and Government Response
Since the tightening of Spanish laws, Portugal has seen a sharp increase in illegal workshops and storage sites for high-speed boats. Criminal networks have set up an entire infrastructure: boats were built and repaired in the north of the country, while in the south they were hidden away until departure. In July 2024, a joint law enforcement operation between the two countries led to the largest seizure in recent years—dozens of people were arrested, tons of drugs were confiscated, and dozens of powerful boats were seized.
Police note that criminals continually perfect their methods. Some boats are equipped with four 300-horsepower engines, making them almost impossible for ordinary patrol boats to catch. In recent years, new groups have emerged specializing exclusively in maritime transport, offering their services to other drug networks.
Statistics and emerging trends
Portuguese police data shows that, while no more than six speedboats were seized annually before 2018, this figure has grown dramatically since the change in Spanish law. In just the past two years, more than thirty boats have been confiscated. In Spain, nearly 1,700 boats were seized over five years, with the average annual number increasing more than tenfold.
In Galicia, a record was set in 2022 with 84 vessels seized, although by 2024 that number had dropped to nine. This demonstrates how quickly criminal groups adapt to new conditions and look for alternative routes.
Political Change and International Cooperation
Despite repeated calls from Madrid, Lisbon was slow to impose a ban. The delay was due to frequent changes in government and ongoing political instability. Only with the arrival of a new cabinet—one focused on security—was the law finally enacted. All right-wing parties voted in favor, while the left abstained.
Unlike Spain, Portugal did not impose a total ban on private use of high-speed boats, but required that their manufacture, ownership, and movement be registered. Violations are now punishable by up to four years in prison. Spanish authorities believe that even these measures can significantly disrupt drug cartel operations.
Potential Consequences and Emerging Challenges
Stricter Portuguese laws may drive criminal organizations to seek new routes. According to experts, some of the trafficking could shift to France, to the Girona coast, or to Morocco. Authorities in both countries stress the importance of international cooperation and joint efforts to combat maritime drug trafficking.
Anti-drug agencies insist on a Europe-wide ban on speedboats, saying it is the only way to block opportunities for criminal networks that quickly adapt to any legal changes. Portugal has taken an important step, but much work remains to fully implement the new rules and strengthen border controls.
