Customs intercept boat with five tonnes of hash

The boat was intercepted in open sea in a combined operation between customs in the Balearics and Valencia. The operation was made difficult by sea conditions - high winds and waves of up to four metres. The three Spaniards on board the boat attempted to sink it in order to try and avoid discovery of the drugs. They are now under arrest.

The boat was taken to Ibiza. The estimated street value of the haul is almost eight million euros.

The operation was the culmination of several months of investigation into a drug trafficking network. It is described as one of the most significant to be carried out in the Balearics.