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Video footage showed an operation conducted by Portuguese authorities, including the navy, targeting a semi-submersible submarine in international waters. On Monday, Portugal’s Judicial Police said the vessel, linked to a transnational criminal network, was intercepted while transporting more than 1.7 tons of cocaine destined for the Iberian Peninsula. Newsweek has contacted the Portuguese Navy for comment. Why It Matters The operation underscores Europe’s growing vulnerability to transatlantic cocaine trafficking and demonstrates how coordinated, multinational intelligence efforts are crucial to disrupting these networks. Meanwhile, the U.S. stepped up anti-cartel operations in the Caribbean, citing the growing flow of drugs across the Atlantic. What To Know Portuguese authorities said four crew members were aboard the vessel intercepted in the middle of the Atlantic. The suspects, including two Ecuadorian nationals, a Venezuelan and a Colombian, the BBC reported, citing local police. The anti-narcotics operation took place on October 29. Authorities seized more than 1,700 kilograms of cocaine aboard a "self-propelled semi-submersible vessel "narco-submarine" sailing approximately about 529 miles from Lisbon, the Portuguese Navy said on Monday. The mission, called "Operation El Dorado," which took over 138 hours, was a multi-country, intelligence-driven operation coordinated through the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N), according to separate statements from the Portuguese Judicial Police and Navy. The cocaine on board was intended to be transported and distributed across multiple European countries. Authorities say they seized a vessel of this type in March carrying more than six tons of cocaine. Portuguese waters have increasingly become transit points for narcotics entering Europe, with semi-submersible vessels—designed to travel partially submerged to evade detection—emerging as a favored method for moving large cocaine shipments from South America, according to Euronews. A broader international initiative coordinated through MAOC‑N, a Lisbon-based center, involves the U.S., UK., France, Portugal, and Spain. In a recent operation carried out by Spanish authorities, a speedboat carrying more than 2.3 tonnes of cocaine was intercepted in international waters, though the specific location was not disclosed. Ports in Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands now account for nearly three‑quarters of all seizures, underscoring how vital large container hubs have become in the transatlantic cocaine trade, according to a report from the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) published in June 2025. Separately, The Trump administration intensified U.S. efforts against drug cartels in Central and South America. The administration carried out strikes against trafficking groups in the Caribbean, primarily targeting alleged Venezuelan-linked cartels. The U.S. strikes drew criticism from Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. What People Are Saying Marinha Portuguesa, the Portuguese Navy, said in a statement on November 4, translated to English: "These operations demonstrate the Navy’s commitment and capability in supporting the fight against international drug trafficking." Alexis Goosdeel, Director of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), stated on September 25: ‘The global nature of the drugs phenomenon requires global solutions. With this new framework, we are reaffirming our commitment to working hand in hand with partners across the world to strengthen our preparedness to deal with new challenges and address new threats. To do so, we will anticipate risks, share knowledge and build healthier and more secure communities. Human Rights Watch said in a Facebook statement on October 25: “The U.S. is continuing to launch unlawful military strikes on boats suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea. At least 43 people have been killed since the strikes began last month... These strikes amount to extrajudicial killings." What Happens Next Authorities in Portugal are continuing their investigation into the transnational network responsible for the shipment.
