Search resumed in Tavira for Moroccan man missing from speedboat suspected of drug trafficking
A 32-year-old Moroccan national has been missing in the Ria Formosa since Wednesday after falling from a high-speed vessel. The Maritime Police seized the speedboat and material suspected of supporting drug trafficking.
Fourth vessel suspected of drug trafficking seized in the Algarve in November
Search operations for the man missing in the Ria Formosa, in Tavira, resumed on Friday morning, "shortly after 07h00", according to a Maritime Police source cited by Lusa. The man, aged 32 and a Moroccan national, is believed to have fallen from a high-speed vessel on Wednesday evening, according to Observador.
The vessel, which was navigating without identification and was carrying four crew members, ended up running aground in the Quatro Águas area, on Cabanas island, in the municipality of Tavira, Faro district. The National Maritime Authority (AMN) confirmed that search and rescue operations had been ongoing for a second consecutive day.
The Port Captain of Tavira, Sérgio Pardal, explained to Lusa that the speedboat "was detected hovering" near Tavira island during a joint operation by the GNR's Coastal Control and Border Unit and the Maritime Police. Upon noticing the presence of the authorities, the four crew members — all Moroccan nationals — fled towards the sea, passing through Tavira bar, without any police pursuit being carried out.
The alert for the disappearance was given by one of the three men who remained on board, transmitted to the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre in Lisbon. Upon arrival of the authorities, the three survivors, all of legal age, were identified and presented minor injuries. They received initial care from firefighters on site and were subsequently transported to hospital for observation.
The Maritime Police seized the vessel, fuel and material described by the AMN as having "suspicious characteristics of being part of a logistical support structure for drug trafficking". This is the fourth high-speed vessel suspected of links to drug trafficking seized in the Algarve since the beginning of November.
Source: Observador