Drugs found onboard TAP Air Airbus A330 cargo flight in Venezuela

Venezuelan authorities found drugs on board TAP Air Portugal cargo flight on Wednesday at Simón Bolívar International Airport.

The drugs were found as the Regional Anti-Drug Intelligence Unit was inspecting the TAP Air Portugal Airbus A330Neo.

“Venezuelan police on Wednesday prevented the take-off of a TAP cargo plane, which was supposed to fly between Maiquetía (northern Caracas) and Lisbon, after detecting an undetermined amount of narcotic substances in the aircraft’s fuselage,” - Safe Communities Portugal

The return flight was canceled and the aircraft was held at the airport but was later released on Thursday.

Simón Bolívar International Airport has been a hot spot for drug movement in recent years and authorities have seized few smaller aircraft following drug busts in the past.

Tap Air Portugal is a state-owned flag carrier of Portugal operating to 93 destinations with a fleet of 88 aircraft.