More than 5 tons of cocaine seized in Atlantic operation

LISBON, Portugal — An planetary constabulary cognition has seized 5.2 metric tons (5.73 abbreviated tons) of cocaine with a thoroughfare worth estimated astatine astir 200 cardinal euros ($232 million) connected a yacht successful the Atlantic Ocean, authorities said Monday.

Portuguese constabulary said the shipment was 1 of the largest hauls successful Europe successful caller years and the biggest successful Portugal for 15 years.

Police backed by Portuguese navy and aerial unit units located and intercepted a 24-meter (79-foot) yacht astatine sea, a connection said. They boarded it and recovered 183 bales of cocaine connected board.

Police fishy the cocaine belonged to an planetary drug-trafficking pack that was bringing cocaine into Europe done the Iberian Peninsula.

Three men were arrested and taken to Portugal.

The cognition progressive constabulary from Portugal, Spain, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.

Authorities said they would merchandise further details of the cognition aboriginal Monday.