Operation SKYDROP – Intercepted container ship with five tons of cocaine

The PJ | Polícia Judiciária carried out a police operation, in close coordination and cooperation with the Marinha Portuguesa – Página Oficial and Força Aérea Portuguesa | Portuguese Air Force, which made it possible to dismantle a criminal network dedicated to the introduction of large quantities of drugs on the European continent, through the use of a container ship, which was carrying about five tons of cocaine.

Inside the vessel, two foreign nationals were found and detained, in a clandestine and irregular situation, and several objects used in the process of navigation, throwing the drug overboard and transporting cocaine were seized.

Following investigative steps carried out this Tuesday, and after the identification and arrest of the two illegal immigrants, a crew member, also a foreigner, was also identified and detained on strong suspicions of being involved in the criminal scheme.

The investigation began very recently following information shared on the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) – MAOC (N) and in close collaboration and liaison with the police authorities of the United Kingdom (National Crime Agency (NCA) and Spain (#PolicíaNacional ).

The container ship, with the clandestine crew and the drugs, was accompanied by the Navy to the port of Sines.