Authorities seize five tons of cocaine from vessel near the Azores

In a major international operation, law enforcement authorities intercepted a container ship carrying over five tons of cocaine approximately 600 nautical miles from the Azores. The mission was conducted through the joint efforts of the Spanish National Police, the British National Crime Agency, and the Portuguese Judicial Police. The vessel, measuring over 260 meters in length, was subsequently escorted to the port of Sines, Portugal, for a thorough search.

Investigators discovered 163 packages containing approximately 5,000 kilograms of cocaine concealed among more than 20,000 cargo containers. The traffickers utilized a high-risk tactic known as the "monkey" method, which involves members of the criminal organization secretly boarding the moving ship using makeshift ladders to stow the contraband. Authorities identified the smuggling ring as being of Colombian origin.

While ink.com reports the operation was carried out by the Spanish National Police in coordination with British and Portuguese agencies, the Reporter mentions the interception occurred in Spanish waters. The investigation into the smuggling network and the origins of the massive shipment remains active as authorities work to identify those responsible for the logistics of this illicit transport.