It was reported on 17th July 2014, that Judicial Police, through the National Unit for Combating Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, in collaboration with the Maritime Authority, have arrested  5 men of foreign nationality, three of them British, who are allegedly members of a transnational organization responsible for trafficking in large amounts of cocaine into Europe.

The police operation involved the seizure of 167 kgs of cocaine hidden inside six suitcases that had been stored in a secret compartment of a pleasure craft after it docked in the port of Sines the departure point being.

This operation is part of a framework of close international police cooperation between the British and other authorities.

Detainees aged 33, 45, 63 and 67, have appeared in court with an application to be placed under remand pening trial.