Portugal’s National Republican Guard (GNR) has seized 6,750 litres of petrol, four vehicles, and a mobile phone in the Algarvian municipality of Aljezur, in an operation targeting what authorities believe was equipment intended to facilitate international drug trafficking.
The operation was carried out by the GNR’s Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF) during a coastal surveillance and monitoring operation. Officers detected suspicious activity in the Carrapateira area of Aljezur, as well as what they suspected to be high-speed marine vessel.
“An operation involving land and air assets was immediately deployed to monitor the movements and prevent criminal activity,” the GNR said in a statement.
During the operation, officers confirmed further suspicious activity at Porto de Abrigo dos Fornos, and carried out additional surveillance.
The investigation resulted in the detection and seizure of various items believed to have been intended to facilitate international drug trafficking, including 270 portable fuel containers holding approximately 6,750 litres of petrol, a mobile phone, three vans, and a 4x4 vehicle.
A 58-year-old man was also formally made a suspect of the investigation, which requires him to provide an address to the authorities and remain available to the judicial process.
The GNR said it “maintains permanent surveillance of the Portuguese coastline”, strengthening its operational presence to prevent and combat cross-border crime, particularly drug trafficking and other illicit activities associated with the use of maritime routes.
Source: GNR
Photo credit: GNR
