Spanish police have confiscated what is believed to be the largest cocaine haul in the country's history, intercepting a ship in the Atlantic Ocean carrying an estimated 35 to 40 tonnes of the drug. The Civil Guard boarded the vessel in international waters off the Canary Islands on Friday, arresting around 20 individuals, according to sources from the AUGC union representing the force.
The ship, which had departed from Freetown, Sierra Leone, and was reportedly headed for Benghazi, Libya, is now being inspected in the Canary Islands. The AUGC sources described the hold as "completely stuffed" with bales of cocaine, making the seizure "historic."
International Trafficking Networks
While the vessel's declared destination was Libya, the AUGC sources noted that such a large volume of cocaine would not typically be unloaded there. "The unloading of this volume of cocaine in Libya doesn't make much sense," they said, suggesting the drugs were likely destined for distribution across Europe. The operation probably involves coordinated international networks, with multiple vessels and ports used to avoid suspicion.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska confirmed the seizure was "one of the biggest, not only nationally but internationally," though he declined to provide further details. The investigation is under legal secrecy due to a court order, and the Civil Guard has not officially confirmed the operation's specifics.
Spain's geographic position—with close ties to Latin America and proximity to Morocco, a major cannabis producer—makes it a key entry point for drugs into Europe. This bust far exceeds the previous record of 13 tonnes seized from a container ship in Algeciras in 2024, which had arrived from Ecuador. In January, Spanish police also made their largest maritime cocaine seizure at the time, confiscating nearly 10 tonnes from a ship.
The scale of this operation underscores the challenges European authorities face in combating transnational drug trafficking. The Canary Islands, located off the coast of West Africa, have become a strategic hub for smugglers moving cocaine from South America to Europe, often via West African ports.
As the investigation continues, the seizure highlights the ongoing efforts of Spanish law enforcement to disrupt major drug supply chains. The AUGC sources emphasized that such a large volume of cocaine would require extensive logistical coordination, likely involving multiple European ports and criminal organizations.
