Officers of the Royal Gibraltar Police’s Marine Unit have arrested and charged four Spanish nationals following the chase and seizure of a vessel loaded with Cannabis Resin in the Bay of Gibraltar.

The officers responded to information received that two fast moving vessels had travelled together from the northern Moroccan coast and were nearing Gibraltar. On leaving the harbour’s southern entrance the officers spotted the vessel “Albacora Tercero” and proceeded to intercept it subsequently detaining the vessel and two of its occupants, the other two having jumped into the sea to avoid capture. Both were later detained by RGP officers with the assistance of the Gibraltar Defence Police and Gibraltar Port Authority.

As is the practice in these instances both Gibraltar Defence Police and Guardia Civil were contacted and informed of the chase with assistance thereafter being requested from the GDP. Following subsequent communication between the crews and following the detention of the “Albacora Tercero” by the RGP, Guardia Civil who had by then arrived in the area, left and headed to the East Side in search of the second vessel.

All four detainees were conveyed to New Mole House and were interviewed by officers of the Royal Gibraltar Police Drug Squad following which they were charged. The four arrested individuals are:

1. Juan Diego TABARES GARCIA of Algeciras, Spain, aged 29.

2. Juan Luis GALIANO GARCIA of Algeciras, Spain, aged 29.

3. Zacaria BEN HAKKA ABDELA of Ceuta, Spain, aged 19.

4. Samuel BUENO BALLESTERO of San Roque, Spain, aged 34.

 All four were jointly charged with:

1. Possession of a Controlled Drug: approximately 500kg of Cannabis Resin

2.Possession with intent to supply a controlled drug: approximately 500kg of Cannabis Resin.

3. Importing a Prohibited Import.

4. Jettisoning Cargo.

In addition TABARES GARCIA and GALIANO GARCIA were also charged with operating a fast launch without a licence; and TABARES GARCIA and BEN HAKKA ABDELA with obstructing police. TABARES GARCIA was additionally charged with being a dangerous user.

All four appeared before the Magistrates Court this morning and were remanded in custody.