The Polícia Judiciária confirmed the seizure was part of operation “Valhalla”, carried out in Portimão by its drug trafficking unit in cooperation with law enforcement partners.

The Danish police’s press release said the cocaine was seized during offloading in the harbour of Portimão, and Police Inspector Mads Helios of the Copenhagen Police said the operation involved a coordinated cross-border effort that police were “very proud of.”

The investigation involved the PJ’s Unidade Nacional de Combate ao Tráfico de Estupefacientes, working with Danish police, the Spanish National Police, the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics), and the Polícia Marítima.

A total of eleven people aged between 20 and 58 were arrested in connection with the case. Ten men were detained in Portugal, while one woman was arrested in Copenhagen. Six of the arrested are Danish nationals, and the rest are of mixed nationalities, according to police.

Helios of the Copenhagen Police told the Danish broadcaster DR that the timing of the operation was deliberately chosen in order to intercept both the vessels carrying the cocaine and the vehicles linked to the shipment. The PJ seized a total of two vessels and three vehicles.

Police said the final destination of the cocaine shipment has not yet been established and remains under investigation. PJ said further details would be provided at a joint press conference scheduled for Friday in Lisbon.

The cocaine seizure comes amid continued efforts by Portuguese authorities to intercept large-scale maritime cocaine shipments entering Europe.