The Spanish offshore patrol vessel ESPS Tornado spotted two suspicious vessels in the Gulf of Cadiz while conducting a series of training activities on Friday, October 9.
When detected, the vessels attempted an escape at high speed and in opposite directions. In their flight, they threw several bundles of drugs overboard.
As Tornado was conducting observation of the area, a third craft approached and, upon spotting the OPV, turned around and fled throwing more bundles into the sea.
Tornado’s two rigid-hull inflatable boats were dispatched, one to pursue and seize the suspicious boat manned by two people, and the other to collect the drug bundles which had previously been slashed and thrown overboard.
In the meantime, the Civil Guard (Police) was informed and one of its fast crafts deployed to help seize the smugglers. The recovered drugs and two arrested people were handed over to the Civil Guard for subsequent judicial prosecution.
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Images: Spanish Navy, EUNAVFOR