POLICE SEIZED a total of 2.2 tonnes of a potent form of hashish, called pollen, from a boat in the Guadiana River in Castro Marim.
During a routine patrol on the river last Wednesday, a maritime inspection division of the GNR noticed the vessel and on approach, the boat changed direction towards the Spanish side of the river. Two men jumped overboard and managed to escape into Spain.
When officers boarded the boat, they found the drugs, which are allegedly three times more potent than hashish resin, hidden inside 70 bags.
The Judicial Police is investigating the case and Spanish authorities have been informed that the suspects escaped across the border.
According to the police, “this is the largest single seizure of drugs” by this division of the GNR since it was established five years ago.
It is alleged that the boat originated in Spain, as there were allegedly bottles of water on board that are not sold in Portugal, but are in Spain.
Police could not confirm their nationalities and the destination of the shipment is unknown although the boat, which is around eight metres long with 40 horsepower, was apparently not capable of travelling to Morocco and it was also travelling in a northerly direction.
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