The Tax Agency intercepts a fishing boat with 5,400 kilos of hashish in waters close to Huelva

The fight against drug trafficking

• The intervention of the Customs Surveillance Service surprised the crew of the ship as they were about to transfer the drugs to a 'narco-boat'.
• The four crew members of the fishing boat, one of Portuguese nationality and three Spaniards, arrested

4 February 2023- The Tax Agency's Customs Surveillance Service has seized a fishing boat loaded with 5,400 kilos of hashish in waters near Isla Cristina (Huelva) and arrested its four crew members, one of Portuguese nationality and three Spaniards.The rapid action of the SVA patrol boat allowed the operation to be aborted just as the crew of the fishing boat was about to transfer the narcotics to a 'narcolancha'.

This operation against international drug trafficking networks operating along the coast of Huelva began in the early hours of 1 February, when the Tax Agency's Customs Surveillance air forces, on patrol along the coastline of the provinces of Cadiz and Huelva, observed, some 15 miles from Isla Cristina, an inflatable boat with powerful engines, sailing without lights and heading towards the coast.

From that point on, a stealthy pursuit of the target is initiated using a combination of air and naval units.The 'narcolancha' approaches a fishing boat and there begins to be movement of the crews when the 'Alcatraz' patrol boat of the Customs Surveillance, based in Huelva, arrives and the boarding takes place.

Drugs hidden in the cargo hold

After an initial visual inspection of the fishing vessel, named 'Praia de Montegordo' and flying the Portuguese flag, numerous bundles of hessian and raffia, commonly used for transporting hashish, were observed piled up in the cargo hold of the vessel.

The four crew members, one of Portuguese nationality and three of Spanish nationality, were immediately arrested and charged with the alleged offences of smuggling and public health.

The intercepted boat was taken to the port of Huelva, where a more in-depth examination was carried out, resulting in 150 bales being seized, with a total weight of 5,400 kilos of hashish resin.

The drugs, the four detainees and the seized boat, along with the rest of the evidence, have been handed over to the head of the Examining Magistrate's Court number 4 in Ayamonte, on duty.

The investigation is still ongoing and further arrests are not ruled out.

The operation is part of the ongoing fight by the Tax Agency's Customs Department against drug smuggling along the Andalusian coastline.