Twelve held after swallowing hashish pellets at port

Guardia Civil officers detained 12 people at Ceuta port on Tuesday after they allegedly swallowed hashish pellets and tried to board a ferry to Algeciras.

According to the first report of the incident, the suspects were stopped inside the port facilities when officers became suspicious of their behaviour. Dogs working at the port then detected the presence of drugs, leading to the arrests.

The 12 detainees were taken to hospital after ingesting the pellets, the report said.

The case fits a pattern seen at the Strait crossing, where traffickers have repeatedly tried to move drugs by ferry using body concealment methods. In recent days, other police and court cases in the area have also centred on drug trafficking and port security.

The investigation is understood to be continuing.