“Attempted homicide” took place in latest operation against drug trafficking
Naval marines involved in yet another operation in international waters protecting Portugal’s coastline from drug traffickers had a lucky escape “in the last few days” when a suspected high-speed narco-launch tried to ram their boat from the side, in order not to be apprehended.
Tabloid Correio da Manhã says the marines escaped what was effectively an attempted homicide by last moment ‘evasive manoeuvres’.
The launch was among a group of high-speed boats being ‘intercepted’ by Portuguese authorities with the assistance of an Air Force plane, in an operation which took place between August 28 – 30.
All three boats were eventually apprehended, and towed back to the mainland (image above). They had on board more than 100 jerrycans of fuel – and were crewed by 11 men: seven Spaniards, four Moroccans.
The men have been ‘identified’; the case passed on to Public Prosecutor’s Office, while the boats and fuel will remain in authorities’ custody.
Says CM, this was just the most recent operation in Portugal’s focused attack on drug traffickers using the south coast as a gateway into Europe.
Since the start of 2023, 41 high-speed narco-launches have been confiscated, 33 tons of drugs of all kinds have been apprehended and 107 suspects ‘identified’. ND
Source material: Correio da Manhã/ Marinha Portuguesa
