Almost four tonnes of cocaine have been seized and three men arrested after the GNR intercepted a suspected drug transfer at sea near the mouth of the River Mira, in the early hours of Thursday, 8 October.
The National Republican Guard’s Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF) said officers recovered 131 bales of cocaine with an estimated weight of 3,915 kilograms, along with two vessels, four mobile phones, and €1,240 in cash. The operation unfolded around the Mira estuary and Praia da Vieirinha, in the municipalities of Odemira and Sines. The market value for cocaine varies by country and continent, but the market value for such a large stash sold on the streets of Portugal is believed to sit between €100m to €250m .
It was led by the UCCF’s Sines Coastal Control Detachment after the Integrated Surveillance, Command and Control System (SIVICC) picked up high-speed boats. Land and sea units were mobilised to track the vessels and prevent any further crime from being committed.
Officers went on to confirm the presence of two high-speed marine vessels which, according to the Guard, appeared to be ferrying packages to a fishing boat near the river mouth. The fishing boat was intercepted, and 73 bales of cocaine were found on board. The three men aboard, aged between 22 and 42, and of both Portuguese and foreign nationality, were arrested. Their identities have not been released by the authorities.
On the return to shore, officers spotted a pleasure craft adrift with a further 58 bales inside.
The operation was reinforced by the Setúbal Territorial Command and supported by the Maritime Police and Sines Town Council.
The GNR noted that the seizure came less than 48 hours after another operation in the early hours of 7 October at Praia da Costinha, in Figueira da Foz, which netted around 2.7 tonnes of cocaine. Between them, the two operations took more than 6.5 tonnes of cocaine off the market in under 48 hours.
Source: GNR
Photo credit: GNR
