Boat seized at Meco linked to drug trafficking, GNR and Maritime Police rule out migrants
A boat found on Foz beach near Meco, in Sesimbra, led to an investigation on suspicion of maritime drug trafficking. Authorities rule out migrant landing.
Rubber vessel on Sesimbra coast associated with suspected drug trafficking
According to radiocomercial.pt, between 20 to 30 people are believed to have landed this early morning on Foz beach, in the Aldeia do Meco area, in the municipality of Sesimbra.
The alert reached the authorities after a fisherman reported the presence of a rubber vessel beached on that beach. The vessel was immediately seized and led to the start of police investigations.
In a joint statement released this afternoon, the GNR and Maritime Police ruled out the possibility of a migrant landing. The authorities stress that the scenario identified resembles suspicious movements related to drug trafficking by sea and fuel smuggling.
"From the evidence collected at the scene and from the police operations carried out, the scenario found has similarities with the numerous situations that these Police Forces have detected: suspicious movements along the Portuguese coast, related to drug trafficking by sea and to fuel smuggling, which have led to the detention of several national and foreign citizens and the seizure of considerable quantities of fuel and drug products," the statement says.
The GNR and Maritime Police announced the continuation of operations in a coordinated manner, with a device for investigation and surveillance on land, sea and air, with the aim of consolidating the information collected and ensuring security in the area.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)