Joint operation of the Tax Agency and the National Police

• Three of the boat's crew members were arrested and a pistol and a large amount of ammunition were seized.

November 17, 2022.- The Tax Agency and the National Police, in a joint operation, have seized 3,600 kilos of hashish that were being transported in a semi-rigid boat when they were trying to enter through the Guadalquivir River, near the Sevillian town of Puebla del Río, and have arrested three of its crew members.

The investigation began based on information received by the intervening units referring to the possible transit of illegal vessels through the different parts of the Guadalquivir River, which are normally used to transport hashish.

Both the Customs Surveillance officers of the Tax Agency and the agents of the National Police station in Dos Hermanas decided to carry out the investigation jointly, in order to detect and prevent this type of illegal activities in the described area.

Control device

The operation began when Customs Surveillance aerial surveillance equipment detected a semi-rigid boat about twelve metres long and with three outboard motors, sailing without lights on the Guadalquivir River, near the town of Isla Mayor. At that time it was discovered that on board the vessel they were carrying a large quantity of bales of the type normally used to transport hashish.

In view of these circumstances, a control device was established on the banks of the river through the action of a Customs Surveillance patrol boat to intercept the smuggling vessel.

Once the boat was intercepted on the banks of the Guadalquivir River near the town of Puebla del Río and the items transported were checked, three of the occupants were arrested, despite their intention to flee and despite the great resistance they put up against the National Police officers.

A thorough search revealed a total of 101 bales of hashish, weighing approximately 3,600 kilos. A 9mm pistol with the serial number removed, ready to fire, and 374 cartridges were also seized.

All the seized items and the detained persons were placed at the disposal of the Investigating Court No. 2 of Coria del Río, and the judge of said Court ordered the imprisonment of the three detainees.

The operation was carried out by officers from the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency from the units in Seville and Cadiz and the National Police station in Dos Hermanas.