Spain Seizes Record Cocaine Haul at Sea
In a groundbreaking operation, Spanish authorities have intercepted nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine aboard a merchant vessel off the Canary Islands, marking the largest drug seizure at sea in the nation’s history. The cocaine, valued at over €100 million (approximately $116.5 million), was discovered concealed beneath a cargo of salt on a Cameroon-flagged ship. The operation, which involved multiple international agencies, highlights the escalating sophistication of cocaine trafficking networks operating between South America and Europe.
Operation White Tide: A Collaborative Effort
The seizure occurred last week, approximately 332 miles west of the Canary Islands, after Spanish police received intelligence related to a multinational criminal organization involved in exporting significant quantities of cocaine. Officers from Spain’s elite GEO unit boarded the vessel as it made its journey across the Atlantic from Brazil. Upon inspection, authorities uncovered 9,994 kilograms of cocaine hidden in 294 bales, cleverly masked under tons of salt. Video footage released by the Policía Nacional shows officers meticulously digging through the salt to reveal the drug packages, a testament to the smugglers’ cunning tactics.
In addition to the drugs, law enforcement also recovered a firearm reportedly used to guard the shipment. Thirteen crew members were arrested during the operation, which was named “White Tide.” This mission was executed in close collaboration with several international agencies, including Brazilian federal police, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the UK’s National Crime Agency, and law enforcement from France and Portugal. Following the raid, the ship, which ran out of fuel, drifted for about 12 hours before being towed to Santa Cruz de Tenerife by Spain’s maritime rescue service, SASEMAR.
Significance of the Seizure
This monumental seizure not only sets a new record for Spain, surpassing the previous maritime record of 7.5 tonnes seized from a trawler in 1999 but also underscores Spain’s critical role as a major entry point for cocaine into Europe. In 2024, Spanish authorities have reported seizing a total of 123 tonnes of cocaine nationwide, an increase from 118 tonnes in 2023 and a significant rise from 58 tonnes in 2022. This trend illustrates how traffickers are increasingly leveraging commercial shipping routes to transport drugs across the Atlantic, reflecting the evolving landscape of international drug trafficking.
Spanish police emphasized that this operation represents a significant blow to criminal networks involved in maritime cocaine trafficking. The complexity and scale of these operations highlight the urgent need for continued vigilance and cooperation among international law enforcement agencies to combat the growing threat posed by drug smuggling.
