Dialogos

Record Cocaine Seizure from 'Narco-Submarine' in Portugal

Published January 26, 2026, 20:02
Record Cocaine Seizure from 'Narco-Submarine' in Portugal

Portuguese authorities have announced the seizure of “approximately nine tons” of cocaine from a “semi-submersible” vessel, intercepted off the Azores archipelago, originating from Latin America, carrying three Colombians and one Venezuelan. “This is the largest cocaine seizure ever made in Portugal,” a police spokesperson told AFP on Monday. The police stated that they intercepted the vessel “in recent days” about 230 nautical miles (approximately 426 km) from the Azores with the help of the navy and air force, and the assistance of US and British authorities. The operation was carried out in adverse weather conditions, and the submarine eventually sank along with 35 of the 300 packages of drugs it was carrying.