1.5 tons of hashish seized in the Algarve

One and a half tons of hashish, which had been dumped into the water by a suspicious vessel, was seized today by the GNR (National Republican Guard) in an operation at the entrance to the Guadiana River in the Algarve.

"The Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF), through the Olhão Coastal Control Detachment, today, September 22, seized 38 bales of the drug, totalling approximately 1,520 kilograms of hashish, between southern Portugal and Spain," read a statement from the National Republican Guard (GNR).

According to the statement, the operation began after the Integrated Surveillance, Command, and Control System (SIVICC) detected a "suspicious vessel" entering the Guadiana River.

The Maritime Patrol Section of the Olhão Coastal Control Detachment, in the Faro district, was immediately activated, launching "a rapid intervention aimed at preventing the introduction of the drug into national territory."

According to the GNR (National Republican Guard), the suspect vessel fled to Spanish waters, dumping dozens of bales overboard.

"During this search, 38 bales of hashish were recovered, totalling more than 1.5 tons," the Guardia Civil states.

The operation involved the collaboration of the Spanish Guardia Civil, the GNR adds, noting that the two security forces have a "joint commitment to combating international drug trafficking by sea."

Sure, it’s illegal to smuggle cannabis. Police have to enforce the law. But while they spend resources on such enforcement activities hundreds of people die each year from vehicle accidents caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol. This after establishments all over Portugal, and the world, dispense as much alcohol as their customers demand. Alcohol addiction adds to the casualties, yet it is seemingly dismissed by most drinkers. Cannabis use is not without problems. Most recently it has been shown to raise the likelihood of afibrilation and strokes for some people, but this had long ago been proven to be true for people who consume alcohol. Again, this is dismissed as a minor concern by alcohol consumers and the alcoholic beverage industry. Some become habituated cannabis, but is in no way as hard to stop cannabis use as it is to stop alcohol addiction, or even tobacco addiction.

So police activity is disproportionately applied to cannabis as it should be against alcohol. It is time for this to change.

By JoeT from Algarve on 23 Sep 2025, 12:04