The Portuguese authorities have seized approximately 1.8 tonne of cocaine following a maritime interception operation targeting an organised criminal group involved in cross Atlantic drug trafficking into Europe.

The operation was carried out in recent days by the Polícia Judiciária (through its National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking) in close coordination with the Portuguese Navy and the Portuguese Air Force.

The target was a fishing vessel, travelling from Latin America, which was detected and intercepted approximately 450 nautical miles from the Azores in extremely challenging operational conditions.

During the boarding operation, authorities located eight men on board (four Brazilian nationals, three Surinamese nationals and one Dutch national) along with various items used in the navigation and transport of the drugs.

Following the interception, the Portuguese Navy escorted the vessel, its crew and the seized drugs to the port of Ponta Delgada (Azores).

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