Brit couple held after cocaine found on ship

PENSIONERS DETAINED IN LISBON

A COUPLE have been detained after a “large amount of cocaine” was found on a cruise ship returning from the Caribbean.

The Policia Judiciaria in Portugal said foreign nationals – aged 72 and 70 and believed to be British – were detained in Lisbon after receiving information from the UK National Crime Agency.

The force said they were arrested on suspicion of trafficking narcotics and have been remanded in custody. It said: “In the cabin that was occupied by the suspects, four suitcases (were found) in whose structures was concealed a high amount of product, more specifically cocaine.”

The couple were arrested on December 4 when the cruise ship docked in Lisbon and their cabin was searched.

Police found 20-22lb (9-10kg) of the class A drug hidden in four suitcases.

The pensioners have appeared before a judge and are being held in custody while a joint Portuguese and British investigation continues. They were travelling on board the Marco Polo, operated by Cruise and Maritime Voyages.

It had left Tilbury in Essex on November 5 and travelled to the West Indies and Azores with 610 passengers and 294 crew on board.

After the pair were arrested, the ship continued on its planned route and returned to the UK on December 8.