In a concerted action between the Portuguese and Spanish authorities, the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) carried out an operation in recent days to combat drug trafficking by sea, following which it was possible to locate and intercept a semi-submersible used by a transnational criminal organization, which was carrying around 6.5 tons of cocaine, bound for the Iberian Peninsula.
Operation “Nautilus,” in which the Portuguese Navy and Air Force, the Spanish Guardia Civil, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the UK National Crime Agency, in addition to the PJ, took part, was based on information shared by the Guardia Civil at the Maritime Analysis and Operations Center – Narcotics (MAOC-N), based in Lisbon. It is part of an investigation led by the Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action.
The vessel, which was intercepted in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, around 500 nautical miles south of the Azores, was carrying five crew members along with around seven tons of drugs, which were destined for various countries on the European continent.
The investigation, carried out by the PJ’s National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking, is continuing in cooperation with other countries’ authorities.

In Correio dos Açores-Natalino Viveiros, director

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