The improved weather conditions not only herald a resumption of crossings from North Africa by illegal immigrants but also the transportation of vast quantities of hashish.
Police in Marbella have detained four people of Moroccan origin and confiscated 3.5 tons of hashish following a surveillance operation.
Police officers spotted a vehicle, reported as stolen, waiting by a beach in the municipality and surveillance was set up. The vehicle then headed to the shore where a 12 metre vessel was arriving to be unloaded. The officers intervened as the cargo was being unloaded.
The four men tried to flee the scene but were caught and, after a brief struggle, subdued and arrested. On board the vessel were 113 bundles containing over 3.5 ton of hashish.