News in the Algarve

 

 

 Reproduced from 'The Portugal News, Portugal's National Newspaper in English'.

 

 


 

 

Speedboat seized on the high seas.... Portuguese navy officials intercepted and seized a speedboat at sea, off the Algarve coast, carrying an unspecified amount of drugs. Four north African occupants were also detained.

 

 

Speaking to press agency Lusa, a source from Faro's Vasco da Gama navy fleet confirmed that the interception took place out of Portuguese waters (over 24 miles off the coast), but within the Exclusive Economic Zone (under 200 miles from the coast).

Affirming it is still too early to reveal the exact amount of drugs seized or the exact location, the source simply confirmed that it was "a long way from the coast", and that the boat was believed to be on its way to Spain.

Reportedly, the detention occurred without incident.

Suspicions were raised as the boat was navigating without an identifying flag, as well as being a high-velocity vessel.

The four detainees have been placed under Portuguese authority's supervision.

Vasco da Gama is a Portuguese naval vessel that has an on-board crew of 193, who at the time of spotting the speedboat were carrying out training exercises with the Spanish navy.