An operation conducted by the Navy on Ilha Selvagem Pequena resulted in the collection of 211 kilograms of waste, including a package containing one kilogram of cocaine, as released in a statement today.
The Navy clarified that this operation took place on Monday as part of the environmental project “Free Litter,” promoted by the regional directorate of Environment and Sea of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
The cleanup covered approximately 80 meters of coastline, aiming to contribute to the preservation of the Selvagens Islands’ ecosystems and combat marine pollution. The collected waste was transported to Porto do Funchal.
“During this operation, a suspicious package was identified among the collected waste, weighing around one kilogram and wrapped in several layers of plastic,” the document states.
The authorities noted that this item was handed over to the local Maritime Police command, where an initial inspection and rapid test revealed the presence of cocaine. Consequently, necessary actions were initiated with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and Judicial Police for further investigation.
The initiative is part of the regional program for marine litter monitoring on Madeira’s beaches, operational since 2019, as part of the ongoing effort to protect biodiversity and reduce litter through innovative approaches.
The statement also highlights the commitment of the Navy and the National Maritime Authority to the protection and preservation of the marine environment, safety, legality, and protection of maritime areas under national sovereignty or jurisdiction, fully collaborating with the authorities in the ongoing investigation.
The Selvagens Islands represent the southernmost Portuguese territory, located southeast of Madeira Island.
