Two suspects involved in a collision with a Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) vessel in the Algarve, resulting in the death of a military officer, were apprehended late Tuesday afternoon.
The GNR spokesperson confirmed that the suspects were located and identified by Guard officers on the international bridge over the Guadiana River, before being handed over to the Judicial Police for arrest.
Carlos Canatário stated that the two suspects, of Spanish nationality, are implicated in drug trafficking, and large amounts of money were discovered in their vehicle while crossing the bridge.
The same source acknowledged the possibility of other suspects being involved in the collision, with ongoing efforts to monitor individuals and movements.
In connection with these ongoing investigations, the two suspects were stopped by GNR officers while driving a Spanish-registered vehicle towards Spain on the international Guadiana bridge, according to the GNR spokesperson, who added that one of the detainees had a significant facial bruise.
What happened?
A GNR officer died, and three others were injured during a patrolling operation on the Guadiana River near Alcoutim, Algarve, on Monday night.
A GNR source confirmed that the vessel was struck by a high-speed boat, presumably linked to drug trafficking. A group of drug traffickers is on the run.
“Given the high-speed boat’s characteristics, it is presumed to be linked to drug trafficking,” a GNR source reported.
After the collision, the high-speed boat was found burning two miles (almost four kilometers) from the accident site on the Guadiana River, offshore from Alcoutim, in Faro district, with the occupants having fled, according to the source.
The incident occurred when a high-speed boat was detected on the Guadiana River, prompting a Coastal Control patrol from Olhão to investigate. When attempting to approach the boat, they were struck.
The accident, reported at 11:15 PM, resulted in the death of a GNR officer and minor injuries to three others (one with a fractured arm and the others with abrasions).
On Monday night, a GNR officer died during an anti-drug trafficking operation on the Guadiana River. The boat he was on was reportedly struck by a high-speed vessel, allegedly operated by traffickers. The Guard, along with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the President, has expressed condolences over the incident.
Natacha Nunes Costa with Lusa | 09:38 – 28/10/2025
[Updated at 8:01 PM]
