Two Spanish men questioned over a fatal boat collision on the Guadiana River that claimed the life of a Portuguese GNR officer have been named as official suspects (arguidos) but released.
The men were stopped near Castro Marim, about 30 kilometres from where a high-speed boat linked to drug trafficking rammed a GNR patrol on Monday night near Alcoutim. The crash killed Corporal Pedro Manata e Silva and left three other officers injured. Authorities believe the boat that rammed the GNR vessel was being used to transport drugs. After the collision, it caught fire as those on board fled to the riverbank.
However, Jornal de Notícias reports that PJ police investigators found no solid evidence at this stage connecting the two to the deadly incident. Both men were formally made arguidos – official suspects under Portuguese law – and placed under a Term of Identity and Residence, which requires them to remain available for questioning.
When found on Tuesday afternoon, one of the men allegedly tried to dispose of a bag containing more than €50,000 in cash, which was later recovered by the GNR. The other was found waiting in a car with Spanish plates, apparently preparing to return to Spain.
Both suspects are known to police for previous drug-trafficking connections, and investigators have not ruled out the possibility that others involved remain at large.
PJ criminal police are leading the investigation, while the affected officers and their families are receiving psychological support.
