Portuguese authorities seized 5 tons of cocaine from the Maersk Nokwanda in a significant Atlantic operation, highlighting rising drug trafficking methods.
5 Tons of Cocaine Seized on Maersk Container Ship
In a joint operation conducted in the Atlantic Ocean under the coordination of the Portuguese Navy and the Portuguese Judicial Police, approximately 5 tons of cocaine were seized on the Maersk-owned container ship Maersk Nokwanda. This incident is considered one of the most notable high-seas drug operations in Europe in recent years, and the ship was directed to Portugal's Sines Port for inspection.
Authorities stopped the vessel approximately 640 nautical miles west of Lisbon, off the coast of Vila do Porto. Detailed searches on the ship uncovered around 5 tons of cocaine in bales hidden in secret compartments used as tanks and void spaces, along with various equipment believed to have been used for drug transfers at sea.
As part of the investigation, two illegal stowaways found on the ship were detained. Additionally, it was reported that one crew member was arrested on suspicion of collaborating with drug traffickers.
It was noted that during its last voyage, the Maersk Nokwanda called at the ports of Posorja and Machala in Ecuador, as well as Buenaventura Port in Colombia, before visiting the ports of Balboa and Colón in Panama and crossing the Atlantic. The banana export ports on the Pacific coast of Ecuador and Colombia have long been regarded as high-risk areas due to international drug cartels using legitimate banana trade to transport cocaine to Europe.
The Portuguese Judicial Police announced that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional). The operation was also supported by the Portuguese Navy and Air Force.
Investigating officials believe that traffickers planned to transfer the drugs to fast boats at sea instead of delivering them to European ports, aiming to transport them to the coasts of Portugal or Spain. It is stated that this method has been increasingly preferred by international criminal organizations due to heightened security measures at major ports. Last week, the Portuguese Maritime Police also highlighted similar smuggling methods by seizing approximately 2 tons of cocaine drifting at sea off the Troia Peninsula.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
