Two British citizens are among twelve suspected smugglers who were arrested after more than GBP 2 million of cocaine was seized onboard an MSC Cruises ship in Madeira.
The 6 women and 6 men, aged between 20-52, were held after MSC Opera arrived in Port Funchal from the Caribbean.
The joint operation between Judicial Police of Portugal and National Crime Agency on Sunday, March 24, found 40lb of the drug stashed in crisp packets and ceramic bowls.
An NCA spokesman said the twelve people, including 2 UK citizens and a Dutch national living in London UK had been "arrested in Madeira as part of an investigation into drug smuggling." The UK citizens were among 6 who had arrived on the island and were intending to travel to locations in Europe. 4 of the arrested had been on the voyage.
For other MSC Opera accidents and incidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.