Doca Seca: Portuguese police target suspected drug-speedboat support base
On 23 October, the Polícia Judiciária reported eleven arrests at a warehouse near Seixal. Investigators said the premises supported organisations transporting large drug shipments by high-speed boats.
Operation Doca Seca resulted in the seizure of four speedboats. Two were ready for launching and two were still being built. Police also found twelve engines rated at 300 horsepower each, six vehicles and approximately 6,600 litres of fuel. All eleven arrested men were inside the warehouse, according to police.
Investigators also found a forklift, two signal jammers and remotely transmitting surveillance cameras. The PJ said equipment at the logistics base was used to hamper police monitoring. The premises also contained equipment for spending several days at sea.
The PJ’s national drug enforcement unit conducted the operation with maritime police support. Investigators had already identified the warehouse as a logistical support point. Police reported breaches of the rules governing high-speed vessels and continued investigating the organisations behind the facility.
