Fight against drug trafficking

• Customs Surveillance officials have seized 114 bales of hashish and seized a large 'drug boat', with the arrest of its four crew members

December 29, 2020 .- Customs Surveillance Officials from the Tax Agency have managed to prevent the introduction into Spain of a total of 3,750 kilos of hashish in two consecutive operations carried out in the Strait area on December 19 and 21. As a result of the action, along with the 114 bales of hashish seized, a large 'narco-boat' has been seized and its four crew members arrested.

The first operation took place last Saturday night, when Customs detection means detected a semi-rigid boat presumably loaded with drugs.

A Customs Surveillance patrol boat based in Algeciras headed towards the previously sighted target, which, when surprised, began to flee, throwing the load of drugs they were carrying into the sea to lighten the boat and be able to escape. 31 bales of hashish were recovered, which, once secured at the base port, gave a gross weight of about 983 kilograms.

The second operation took place two days later, on December 21, after a semi-rigid boat about 12 meters in length and equipped with three powerful outboard engines was sighted. Given the possibility that it was loaded with hashish, a Customs Surveillance patrol vehicle was sent to intercept it.

On this occasion, despite the fact that the crew of the smuggling boat also threw away almost the entire load of bales they were transporting, the semi-rigid boat was intercepted, boarded and intervened. Its four crew members were arrested, three Spanish men and another Moroccan, and a total of 83 bales of hashish were seized, with an approximate gross weight of 2,765 kilograms.

The proceedings, the detainees and the seized vessel have been made available to the relevant judicial authorities.

Spanish Customs continues to maintain pressure on illicit flows in the Strait area and has established a surveillance plan for maritime spaces based on the exploitation of intelligence and collaboration with national and international organizations also in charge of controlling narcotics. .

Customs Supervision: Presentation of charges for smuggling and related offences Free telephone 900351378. Email: denunciasvigilanciaaduanera@correo.aeat.es

Filming and photos of the operation (to download the video and photographs you must enter the following web address):

https://we.tl/t-73g1j6jJRx