Ireland and six other countries are today launching a new initiative to intercept drug smuggling across the Atlantic into Europe.
A special centre is being opened in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, to co-ordinate rapid response naval operations against drug traffickers.
The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre is jointly run by Ireland, the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Holland and Italy.
Its officers have already run 22 operations since April, leading to 10 seizures totalling more than 10 tonnes.
