A group of suspected drug traffickers ended up coming to the rescue of three police officers chasing them after their boats collided at sea.

The bizarre turn of events took place off the coast of the Costa del Sol on Friday, as the Spanish maritime patrol agents were trying to intercept a boat suspected to be carrying narcotics.

Image: Following the unexpected rescue, officers recovered more than 80 bundles of hashish

As the patrol vessel approached the boat, it hit the side, causing the officers to fall into the sea.

The patrol boat was "out of control" and circling them, putting the officers' lives in danger, authorities said.

A police helicopter hovering overhead called on the four people on board to help using a megaphone, and the suspected drug smugglers pulled the agents to safety.


"The crew of the helicopter of the Malaga Air Unit, upon realising the imminent danger to the civil guards, required the occupants of the other vessel to support them by public address, being rescued by them and being all unharmed," the police statement read.

The suspected drug traffickers were not spared following the gesture - and the four people on board were arrested after officers recovered more than 80 bundles of hashish, weighing more than three tonnes.