Five Tonnes of Cocaine Seized Aboard Maersk Nokwanda off Portugal

Portuguese authorities intercepted the container ship Maersk Nokwanda in the Atlantic on August 5 and diverted the vessel to the port of Sines, where a search uncovered five tonnes of cocaine concealed in interior compartments alongside equipment used for at-sea drug transfers.

Two stowaways and one crew member were arrested in connection with the find. The operation was conducted jointly by Portugal's Judicial Police and Navy, with support from the UK's National Crime Agency and Spain's Policía Nacional.

Investigation is ongoing under Portuguese judicial authority.