Police investigate floating cannabis haul

The Royal Gibraltar Police are tracing ownership of a vessel collar found at sea containing 500kg of cannabis resin, which is not believed to have “any local connection”.

The collar of a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat [RHIB] was found floating in local waters just a mile west off the Detached Mole, after it was reported to the Gibraltar Port Authority.

“The drugs had been stored within the collar in small slabs and pellets,” a police statement said.

The police believe the collar was being towed by another vessel which for a reason unknown had released its cargo. No other part of the vessel has been recovered.

“Inquiries are ongoing with a view to trace ownership of the vessel. At present it is not believed to have any local connection,” the statement read.

The semi-submerged collar was reported to the Gibraltar Port Authority as a danger to navigation on Tuesday afternoon. Shortly after the collar was recovered the drugs were discovered by Port Authority officers.

The officers contacted the police and the drugs were taken into police custody.

The police are currently investigating the matter.