The Judiciary Police announced on Wednesday, March 11, a police operation that resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,800 kilograms of cocaine. The drugs were found on board a fishing vessel detected 450 nautical miles from the Azores. Authorities believe they have dismantled a criminal group dedicated to smuggling large quantities of drugs into the European continent. In coordination with the Navy and the Air Force, the PJ's National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking intercepted the vessel under 'extremely difficult conditions', finding not only the drugs but also eight men—four Brazilian, three Surinamese, and one Dutch national. Several items used in the navigation and transport of the cocaine were also seized during the operation, codenamed 'Survivor'. The investigation is ongoing.