Portugal emerges as Europe's new cocaine gateway: 200 speedboats seized since 2020

Since 2020, Portuguese authorities have seized more than 200 ultra-fast boats — capable of exceeding 120 km/h — used by drug traffickers on Atlantic cocaine routes. Portugal is increasingly becoming a key entry point for cocaine into Europe, with Atlantic pursuits growing more frequent. Law enforcement faces mounting logistical and tactical challenges in combating the trade.