Historic Cocaine Seizure by Spanish Authorities
Spanish police have confiscated what is believed to be a national record quantity of cocaine from a vessel in the Atlantic Ocean.
Between 30,000 and 45,000 kilograms (33 to 50 tonnes) of cocaine were discovered when the Civil Guard intercepted a freighter in international waters, according to the main union of the Civil Guard, the AUGC. The union described the operation as a
"historic blow to drug trafficking".
Details of the Interception and Arrests
The vessel was stopped off the coast of Spain's Canary Islands on Friday, and approximately 20 individuals were detained, the AUGC informed the AFP news agency. The ship had departed from Sierra Leone and was en route to Libya.
For legal reasons, the Civil Guard has refrained from providing further details about the investigation.
Official Statements and Visual Evidence
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated to reporters in Madrid that the seizure was
"one of the biggest, not only nationally but internationally".
The Civil Guard posted a photograph on the social media platform X showing the cocaine concealed within the hold of the intercepted freighter.
In their statement, the Civil Guard wrote:
"Today history is being written in the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard."
They added:
"Intercepted in international waters the largest known seizure: between 30,000 and 45,000 kg of cocaine on board a freighter."
Context and Previous Seizures
Although the vessel was headed toward Libya, AFP reported that based on patterns from previous operations, it was likely intended to offload the drugs onto smaller boats for distribution across Europe.
In January, Spanish authorities conducted their largest cocaine seizure at sea prior to this incident, confiscating nearly 10 tonnes from a ship.
