Customs recovers cannabis worth £495,000

Customs officers recovered 90kg of cannabis and chased drug smugglers out of Gibraltar waters and into the hands of the Guardia Civil.

The separate incidents happened in the midst of the festive period last Monday.

The first incident involved a high speed chase where officers of the Customs Marine Unit chased drug smugglers out of local waters by Europa Point and into Spanish waters where they were intercepted by the Guardia Civil.

The Guardia Civil has since thanked Customs for the assistance provided.

On the same day Customs recovered £495,000 worth of cannabis and a number of jerry cans containing petrol from the sea on the East side.

"It has hardly been a quiet holiday for the officers of HM Customs," said a press statement.

The incidents come at a busy time for Customs.

At this time of year the Royal Gibraltar Police and Customs remain vigilant at the border and are on the lookout for people trying to import illegal fireworks.