Guardia Civil seizes 3,360 kilos of cocaine and military weapons south of Gran Canaria
A drug-trafficking boat carrying 139 packages of cocaine and military weapons was intercepted 70 miles from Gran Canaria. Five crew members, aged 21 to 41, were detained.
Five detained following high-seas pursuit with 3.3 tonnes of cocaine on board
The Guardia Civil intercepted a semi-rigid vessel south of Gran Canaria transporting 3,360 kilos of cocaine distributed in 139 packages, according to a statement released by the Armed Institute. The five crew members were arrested; they were carrying an assault rifle and a light machine gun.
The operation began when officers from the Maritime Service detected the boat, equipped with several high-powered engines, navigating approximately 70 miles south of the island. Upon receiving orders to stop, the vessel fled. The agents initiated a high-seas pursuit that concluded with the capture of the suspects despite the evasive manoeuvres executed during the journey.
According to El Mundo, the five occupants—aged between 21 and 41 years old—were carrying the military weapons with the purpose of defending the cargo against possible assaults or "takeovers" by rival organisations.
The detainees face charges for drug trafficking, serious disobedience, illicit possession of weapons and membership of a criminal organisation.
Source: El Mundo