On 15th March the GNR Coastal Control sub-division Vila Real de Santo António stopped, at 17:00 hrs a foreigner aged 40 years and seized approximately 550 kilos  of hashish, a vessel and a towing vehicle.

When the GNR arrived at the fishing port to inspect the vessel, they encountered two individuals in the process of towing it out of the water. One of the suspects then fled and the other tried to escape using a private car but was apprehended.

After a brief search, it was found that the vessel had a false bottom, which contained within it about 17 bales of hashish.