Three arrested after 56 bales of hashish seized in Aljezur

Three men have been arrested after authorities intercepted a suspected drug trafficking operation in Aljezur and seized 56 bales of hashish, thousands of litres of fuel and an automatic firearm.

The arrests were carried out today (June 18) by officers from the GNR’s Coastal and Border Control Unit during a patrol operation near Portinho do Forno.

According to the GNR, officers detected what appeared to be an ongoing drug offloading operation involving a high-speed boat and vehicles waiting onshore.

Investigators believe the vessel was transferring hashish to commercial vehicles while fuel was simultaneously being transferred from the vehicles to the boat.

The vessel fled the scene before it could be intercepted.

However, the operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects aged between 28 and 43.

Authorities also seized 56 bales of hashish, around 3,000 litres of fuel stored in 150 portable containers, an automatic firearm, a Portuguese-registered goods vehicle and a Spanish-registered passenger vehicle.

Officers also recovered various items allegedly linked to the trafficking operation, including gloves and balaclavas.

The operation was supported by personnel from the Faro Territorial Command, while Portugal’s Judicial Police (PJ) carried out forensic and investigative procedures at the scene.

The suspects are due to appear before Faro’s Judicial Court on Friday.

The statement concludes with the GNR saying it continues to maintain “permanent surveillance of the Portuguese coastline” as part of efforts to combat drug trafficking networks that use maritime routes to bring narcotics into the country.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.