Rubber dinghy found in Sesimbra linked to suspected maritime drug trafficking
A rubber dinghy was discovered on Foz beach, near Meco, and authorities are investigating a possible connection to drug trafficking. The hypothesis of migrant landings was ruled out by the GNR and Maritime Police.
Dinghy in Meco points to maritime drug trafficking, authorities say
A fisherman found a rubber dinghy in the early hours of Sunday on Foz beach, in the Meco area of Sesimbra. The authorities are investigating the origin of the vessel and who was on board, reports Público.
The GNR and Maritime Police, the two forces taking on the case, received "an indication that, in the vicinity of that location, approximately 20 to 30 individuals were seen", according to a joint statement issued on Sunday evening.
However, no witness heard by the authorities confirmed this account. The security forces concluded that it was not possible "to affirm the existence of any migrant landing in that area".
The hypothesis that the GNR and Maritime Police consider most likely is that the dinghy is related "to drug trafficking by sea and fuel smuggling". The joint statement justifies this direction with the fact that "the evidence gathered at the scene and the police operations conducted" present "similarity" with cases of this nature.
The two forces guarantee that investigation and surveillance operations in the area will continue, with the aim of "consolidating the information that emerged and guaranteeing the safety of everyone in the area in question".
Source: Público