Drug traffickers have abandoned more than 1.2 tonnes of cocaine and a loaded firearm magazine after being intercepted near the Huelva estuary.

The Guardia Civil operation began during the early hours of Thursday after officers detected a suspicious boat speeding from the coast towards Punta Umbria.

A joint operation was launched on land and water in an attempt to intercept the vessel and prevent the drugs from being brought ashore.

A Guardia Civil helicopter later detected two vehicles believed to be connected to the boat.

The Policia Nacional was asked to assist, but the occupants abandoned the vehicles and escaped after becoming aware of the police presence.

Inside a van, officers discovered 34 bundles containing more than 1,200kg of cocaine.

A second car is believed to have acted as a scout vehicle, travelling ahead to warn the traffickers of police checkpoints or suspicious activity.

During a search of the surrounding area, officers also recovered a fully loaded firearm magazine. Investigators believe it may have been dropped by one of the fleeing suspects.

Both vehicles and the cocaine have been placed at the disposal of the investigating court.

No arrests have yet been reported.