GNR arrests 32 people involved in the manufacture of "narcolanchas"
In recent days, the GNR (National Republican Guard) dismantled a network involved in the manufacture of speedboats—also known as "flying boats" or " narcolanchas "—used in drug trafficking by cartels in Spain. The epicenter of the massive police operation, which involved collaboration with the Spanish Guardia Civil, was Samora Correia , but searches were also carried out in Minho, Gaia, Vila do Conde, and Benavente. Thirty-two people were arrested , and some have already been questioned in court.
In a statement sent this Friday morning, the GNR reveals that “this operation is the result of a criminal investigation, conducted by the GNR Special Operations Intervention Group, which has been ongoing for 38 months ”.
During the course of the investigation, several Spanish suspects were identified, fostering close collaboration with the Guardia Civil under the International Police Cooperation Act. As a result of the investigations carried out in Portugal, 32 people were arrested and 32 home search warrants, 21 non-home search warrants, and 35 vehicle search/seizure warrants were executed. One person was also arrested and six home search warrants were executed in Spain, in addition to 16 arrests already made over the 38 months of the investigation," the statement reads.
These individuals are "suspected of drug trafficking, criminal association, and possession of a prohibited weapon." Seized were "seven tons of hashish; 650 kg of cocaine; 18 high-speed vessels , with an estimated value of approximately €8 million; 40 high-powered engines, with an estimated value of approximately €2.5 million; €780,000 in cash; 11 firearms; and 24 motor vehicles," adds the GNR.
The scheme had its epicenter in a warehouse located on a section of the EN118, between Samora Correia (Benavente municipality) and Alcochete, a short distance from the Tagus River, adds Jornal de Notícias.
The network produced "flying" speedboats in Portugal, where the law is more lax than in neighboring Spain. Manufacturing is permitted in Portugal , which requires authorities to prove intent to manufacture them for use in maritime drug trafficking. Typically, these speedboats are launched in Portugal, travel by sea to the location—usually near Morocco—where the drug bales are floating, and then transported to the Spanish coast.
The GNR adds, in the statement, that “the main objective of this operation was to disrupt the logistics chain of these groups of suspects who were involved in drug trafficking , strongly affecting their ability to distribute drugs in the Iberian Peninsula, thus contributing to an increase in the feeling of security of its populations”.
In early 2024, two Guardia Civil agents died after the patrol boat they were traveling in was rammed by a “narcolancha” carrying drug traffickers in the port of Barbate, in Cádiz.
Tragic night for the Civil Guard family. Two of the agents died when they were rounded up by a narcolancha in the port of Barbate. Rest in Peace. All my love to your family and friends. With immense pain. Death is not the final ???? pic.twitter.com/IK4vOaIGz3
— Macarena Olona (@Macarena_Olona) February 9, 2024
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