The Servicio de Vigilancia Aduanera (the briny branch of the Guardia Civil equivalent to Customs and Excise) has been busy looking for 80 parcels of hashish that was thrown overboard by smugglers during a chase just off Almunecar.

The customs boat, Coimbo II, based in Motril, managed to intercept a high-speed zodiac, seven metres in length and powered by two 200hp, outboard motors. Onboard the 3-man crew were transporting 2,000 kilos of hashish destined for the province of Granada.

As soon as they saw the Coimbo II approaching flat out they started dumping the parcels, whilst fleeing in the opposite direction, managing to beach the craft in La Caleta near Salobrena and escape on foot.

Most of the drugs were still onboard and a further 100 kilos was fished out of the water or washed up and confiscated. The craft itself, with its motors and other equipment included, is valued at 100,000 euros.

(News; Almunecar/Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)