Featured Image Credit: CEN
Topics: News, Drugs, World News
Shola Lee
Spanish police fended off dozens of looters trying to steal cannabis cargo from a crashed ship.
Spanish customs officers intercepted the ship last Friday, 29 July off the coast of southern Spain and were proceeding with investigations when they were forced to fend off locals looking to get some of the drugs on board.
Footage from the incident shows a customs helicopter that was forced to fly near ground level on a beach in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Cadiz province, in an attempt to scare away a scourge of people who looked like they were trying to steal from the wreck. Yep, it was like a scene from the Walking Dead. Watch below:
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Some speedy stealers managed to dive under the helicopters to get their hash.
The Spanish Customs Office asked for the Civil Guard and National Police to help contain the scene, with officials working tirelessly to stop those who 'pounced' on the leftover drugs.
The Customs Surveillance team took to Twitter to thank their workers. They said: "Congratulations to our colleagues, who after an anti-drug operation in Sanlucar and their decisive action, managed to intercept a cache of hashish after the boat carrying the drug ran aground on the beach."
While you may be wondering why locals were so quick to 'pounce' on the stash if they could be reprimanded, it's important to note that cannabis is covered by a pretty cloudy patch of Spanish law.
The drug is currently decriminalised for personal use in a private place, given that the user only has 100g or less.
This means that cannabis clubs, where those looking to get a little high can bring their own (short) supply, are popular in Spain's capital cities.
However, trafficking the drug remains a serious criminal offence, for which you could face up to €30,000 (£25,550).
What's more, is that those charged with trafficking could also face between three and six years in prison.
Spain's current stance is that private use is fine but selling isn't, with MP Daniel Viondi saying of the matter: "Recreational consumption has nothing to do with medicinal consumption. We are going to take control of this debate now for good ends."
So, there you have it, seems a little more reasonable why people were storming the boat, but the owners of the vessel could be facing some serious penalties.
The Spanish national police have said that an investigation into the boat and its cargo is ongoing.
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