Portugal seizes possible drug boat transported by a Spanish-registered truck in the port of Lanhelas

Portuguese authorities are investigating the appearance of a Spanish-registered TIR truck and a semi-trailer that was transporting a possible drug boat. The discovery occurred on the access ramp to the River Minho, at the Portuguese port of Lanhelas.

Following a tip-off from local residents received at 08:30 on August 4, members of the Maritime Police and other Portuguese security forces were dispatched to the scene to clarify what had happened.

The officers confirmed that the vehicle was partially submerged and there was no one nearby. Inside the semi-trailer, they found a possible 12-meter-long drug boat, equipped with three high-powered engines and valued at over 400,000 euros.

According to initial investigations, the trailer was maneuvering to launch the boat into the water or retrieve it when, for reasons still unknown, it became partially submerged in the river and was abandoned.

The Portuguese Maritime Authority has reported that both the truck, the semi-trailer, and the boat have been seized. Meanwhile, the investigation remains open to clarify the circumstances of the incident and determine if it is linked to any drug trafficking organization.

Photo: Portuguese Maritime Police