The Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) recovered over 420 kilograms of cocaine after a high-speed vessel dumped the drugs into the sea while fleeing authorities off the coast of Sines. The operation involved the Navy, the Air Force, and the National Maritime Authority, though the suspects managed to escape. This seizure follows a separate incident earlier this week where an Indian crew member died in custody after a larger cocaine shipment was intercepted.
Authorities seize 420 kilograms of cocaine off Sines coast
Saturday, 8 August 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
8 sources
- Indian Crew Member Dies In Custody After Portugal Seizes 5 Tonnes Of Cocaine From ShipMarine Insight ·
- Fleeing vessel dumps over 420 kilograms of cocaine into the sea. Drugs recovered off the Alentejo coastdn.pt ·
- More than 400 kilograms of cocaine recovered by the PJ on the high seas off the coast of Sinesexpresso.pt ·
- Over 400 kilograms of cocaine thrown into the sea seizedobservador.pt ·
- Over 400 kilograms of cocaine seized from fleeing speedboatrtp.pt ·
- Another 420 kilos of cocaine “jettisoned into sea” as traffickers flee police pursuitportugalresident.com ·
- Over 400 kilograms of cocaine seized from fleeing speedboat in Sinespublico.pt ·
- More than 420 kilograms of cocaine seized on the high seas after pursuit of a suspicious speedboatcnnportugal.iol.pt ·
