Portugal: Coastal Control Unit boat disappears after seizure of 1.700kg of hashish

A High Speed ​​Vessel (EAV) of the Coastal Control Unit, called “Alcoutim”, disappeared from the port of Vila Real de Santo António, after an operation to seize more than 1.700 kg of hashish. The operation took place on the 29th of October, on the Guadiana River, and the whereabouts of the boat are still unknown.

According to the magazine VISION, the alleged theft took place during a patrol action on the Guadiana River, in which the military from the Maritime Patrol and Intervention Team of the Vila Real de Santo António Coastal Control Unit seized around 1.700 kg of hashish. The missing vessel was moored at the pier, which is closed and closed to the public, as it is a pier for the exclusive use of the GNR. The authorities believe that the access was made by sea, inside the Fishing Port.

Immediately, and with the help of the Spanish Guardia Civil, due diligence was taken to try to locate and recover the vessel. However, so far, it remains missing.

The operation to seize the GNR

The Coastal Control Unit, through the Coastal Control Sub-detachment of Vila Real de Santo António, seized on October 29 more than 1.700 kg of hashish in the Guadiana River, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António.

According to the GNR press release, “as part of its mission of surveillance, control and patrolling of the coast and territorial sea, in particular in the fight against narcotics trafficking by sea, the Integrated Surveillance, Command and Control System ( SIVICC) detected, during the dawn, a high-speed vessel, equipped with four high-power engines, sailing in hiding lights and with a suspicious behavior towards Barra de Vila Real de Santo António.

In view of the suspicions raised, a UCC Maritime Team was immediately mobilized to the site, with the aim of approaching the vessel. During the follow-up, already in the Guadiana River, the suspect vessel reversed course, threw the cargo it was carrying overboard and headed south, without it being possible to intercept it.

During the morning, several maritime and land patrols collected the bales of hashish in the vicinity of the Guadiana River and on Santo António beach”.