Portugal Intercepts Narco-Sub With 1.7 Tons of Cocaine
(Portuguese Judiciary Police)
Portuguese authorities have intercepted a narco-submarine carrying over 1.7 tons of cocaine in the mid-Atlantic, arresting four South American crew members and sinking the vessel after determining it was too fragile to tow, the BBC reports.
The semi-submersible, believed to be en route to the Iberian Peninsula, was located roughly 1,000 nautical miles off Lisbon following a tip to the Lisbon-based Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (MAOC) about an imminent cocaine shipment to Europe. The operation involved coordination with the UK’s National Crime Agency and the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
The suspects—two Ecuadorians, a Venezuelan, and a Colombian—were taken into custody after a court appearance in the Azores. Vítor Ananias, head of Portugal’s drug enforcement unit, said the crew’s diverse nationalities indicate a multinational trafficking network. Officials said the submarine could not be towed due to rough seas and its unstable construction, prompting the navy to let it sink. Ananias highlighted the dangerous conditions aboard these vessels, noting that after weeks at sea, “all you want is to get out.” The Guardian previously described these submarines as “propeller-driven coffins,” emphasizing the extreme risks faced by crews.
Semi-submersible drug vessels have become an ongoing challenge for authorities. In March, a similar craft carrying 6.5 tons of cocaine was seized roughly 1,200 nautical miles from Lisbon. These low-profile vessels can evade radar and aerial surveillance, according to the Times.
The latest seizure comes amid a broader crackdown on maritime drug trafficking, as the Trump administration has intensified US efforts to intercept illicit shipments at sea. Last week, a US strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean killed three men, sparking debate over the legality of such operations and criticism from Latin American leaders.
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