Drug smugglers’ submarine stopped in Atlantic Ocean Nearly 6.5 tons of cocaine seized

In a major drug bust, authorities have intercepted a semi-submersible vessel, known as a "narco sub," in the Atlantic Ocean, seizing nearly 6.5 tonnes of cocaine.

The operation, dubbed Nautilus, took place south of Portugal's Azores archipelago and marks a significant success in the global fight against drug trafficking, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The seizure, carried out with assistance from the U.S. DEA, British National Crime Agency, and Spanish Guardia Civil, accounts for almost a quarter of the 23 tonnes of cocaine seized in Portugal this year.

The Portuguese judicial police announced the recent interception of a semi-submersible vessel loaded with over 6.5 tonnes of cocaine, a significant find in international drug enforcement efforts. The operation, known as Nautilus, saw the vessel intercepted approximately 500 nautical miles south of Portugal's Azores Islands while it was en route to the Iberian Peninsula.

The ship, operated by an international crime syndicate, was carrying orange-wrapped packages of the illicit substance, and five suspects were detained.

In a statement, the Portuguese police noted the collaboration of several international partners, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), British National Crime Agency (NCA), and Spanish Guardia Civil. The cooperation underscores the importance of cross-border law enforcement efforts in tackling the growing problem of cocaine smuggling into Europe, particularly through Portugal, which is often a primary entry point for South American drugs.

The semi-submersible vessel, designed to evade detection, was one of several similar craft intercepted in recent years. While these "narco subs" cannot fully submerge like traditional submarines, some are capable of briefly dipping underwater, making them harder to spot.

By Aghakazim Guliyev