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Record Cocaine Seizure: Nine Tons Intercepted Near Azores

1/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On January 27, 2026, Portuguese authorities announced a record cocaine seizure after intercepting a semi-submersible vessel near the Azores.
Operation Adamastor, with U.S. and U.K. authorities, recovered about nine tons of cocaine from the vessel that departed Latin America.
During the operation, 35 bales sank and 265 were retrieved.
The four crew members, three Colombians and one Venezuelan, were apprehended.

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Story summary

On January 27, 2026, Portuguese authorities announced a record cocaine seizure after intercepting a semi-submersible vessel near the Azores.
Operation Adamastor, with U.S. and U.K. authorities, recovered about nine tons of cocaine from the vessel that departed Latin America.
During the operation, 35 bales sank and 265 were retrieved.
The four crew members, three Colombians and one Venezuelan, were apprehended.