Amphetamines were extracted from a depth of approximately three meters after authorities received an alert regarding the possible presence of the drug near a bathing area in the municipality of Tavira. This location is situated on one of the barrier islands of the Ria Formosa, a wetland in the district of Faro, classified as a Natural Park, as stated in a communiqué by the AMN.
Following the alert, personnel from the Tavira Maritime Police Command were dispatched to the scene, where they seized 32.46 kilograms of amphetamines. These were divided into “30 volumes of narcotic product” taken from an area “approximately three meters deep.”
“The Maritime Police, through free diving, seized the narcotic product and subsequently handed it over to the Judiciary Police,” which is responsible for the investigation, the AMN disclosed.
The Maritime Authority further mentioned that the Forensic Diving Group and Underwater Police Operations (GMF-OPS) of the Maritime Police was also activated, using a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV).
With the assistance of this equipment, the forensic diving group will conduct additional searches along the Algarve coast to determine if more narcotic products need to be retrieved from the area or if there are any useful proof elements for the investigation.
