Feb 01 - Royal Gibraltar Police Size £1.8 Million Worth Of Cannabis Resin

RGP Marine Section officers have recovered a total of 12 bales of cannabis resin weighing approximately 360kgs, following a high speed pursuit on the eastern side of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The incident came about when the crew on-board RGP Interceptor “Sir John Chapple” detected and challenged a radar contact south of Europa Point during a routine patrol.

The suspect vessel, a 10-meter RHIB crewed by four occupants, was loaded with cannabis resin bales, and performed evasive manoeuvres whilst its occupants jettisoned several bales as it fled east into the Mediterranean, where the RGP Interceptor discontinued its pursuit.

An extensive search of the area travelled during the pursuit resulted with officers recovering 12 bales of cannabis resin, with a total street value of approximately £1.8 million. 

Commenting on the seizure, Commissioner of Police Eddie Yome highlighted the increased number of high speed maritime pursuits during the past few months, in particular during the recent Christmas period, and expressed his admiration for the work regularly undertaken by RGP Marine Officers day and night in what are clearly hostile and dangerous conditions.

He added that in partnership with local and regional law enforcement counterparts, the RGP would continue to challenge every attempt made to introduce illicit drugs into Western Europe across the Strait of Gibraltar. 

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