Five people have been arrested after the Guardia Civil intercepted a high-powered boat carrying more than three tonnes of cocaine off the coast in the south of Gran Canaria.

Officers seized 3,360 kilos of cocaine, divided into 139 packages, after stopping the vessel around 70 miles south of the island. The boat was fitted with several powerful engines and was detected by officers from the Guardia Civil’s Maritime Service. When they attempted to stop it on suspicion of drug trafficking, those on board reportedly tried to escape.

A pursuit followed as they carried out a series of manoeuvres in an attempt to escape the officers. The Guardia Civil eventually intercepted the boat and arrested all five people on board.

As well as the cocaine, officers discovered two high-powered firearms, described as an assault rifle and a light machine gun.

According to investigators, the weapons were being used to protect the drugs from potential attacks by rival organised crime groups.

The five suspects, aged between 21 and 41, have been handed over to the courts. They are being investigated for alleged drug trafficking, serious disobedience, illegal possession of firearms and membership of a criminal organisation.

The seizure comes amid a series of major anti-drug operations in waters around the Canary Islands, highlighting the continued use of Atlantic maritime routes by international trafficking networks.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the origin and intended destination of the cocaine, as well as whether other people were involved in the operation.