In a stunning operation off the coast of Lisbon, Portuguese authorities have intercepted a narco-submarine, detaining four suspects and seizing over 1.7 tonnes of cocaine. The semi-submersible vessel was reportedly on its way to the Iberian Peninsula when it was located approximately 1,000 nautical miles offshore.
Authorities acted on intelligence that indicated a criminal organization was dispatching a submersible loaded with cocaine destined for Europe. The seizure was conducted with the aid of the UK's National Crime Agency and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Footage from the operation shows police and navy forces surrounding the vessel before boarding it and arresting the crew members, which included two Ecuadorians, a Venezuelan, and a Colombian. They have been placed in pre-trial detention following their court appearance in the Azores.
Vítor Ananias, head of Portugal's police unit for combating drug trafficking, emphasized the international nature of the drug ring, as evidenced by the varied nationalities of the suspects. He noted that such incidents have become increasingly common, with a similar vessel carrying 6.5 tonnes of cocaine seized earlier this year.
Despite the successful interception, the narco-sub was deemed too fragile for towing back to shore and ultimately sank in the ocean. Ananias indicated that the conditions aboard the sub were perilous and that crews would face extreme challenges if stranded at sea for extended periods.
The recent interception of the narco-sub underscores the escalating efforts to thwart drug smuggling into Europe and coincides with heightened scrutiny of maritime drug trafficking by authorities worldwide.
