Portuguese police have seized more than 1.3 tonnes of cocaine hidden in frozen fish. The aim was to traffic them to Europe, while seven men of different nationalities were arrested as part of the investigation.
The cargo came from Ecuador and was unloaded at the port of Lisbon. The “Operation Calamari”, as it was called by the Portuguese Authorities, also brought other findings. In particular, eight firearms, luxury cars, as well as various documents and objects were seized.
The drugs, which were found in a warehouse in the western part of Portugal, were hidden inside frozen fish. “The way the drugs were hidden in the frozen fish made it very difficult to detect them, and in order to remove them, the fish had to be completely destroyed.”the Portuguese police explained in a statement.
The arrested, aged between 26 and 59, are suspected of belonging to an organized criminal group. Police did not specify the nationalities of those arrested, who will be brought before a judge.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported last year in its annual World Drug Report that the demand for and supply of cocaine has increased internationally.
SOURCE: APE-ME
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