Spanish and Portuguese authorities have dismantled a major cocaine trafficking operation, seizing nearly 19 tonnes of drugs and arresting dozens of suspects. The coordinated efforts targeted networks using floating bases and semi-submersible vessels to transport cocaine from Latin America to Europe.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Spanish police dismantled a trafficking ring that used speedboats to transport cocaine from floating bases in the Atlantic, seizing 10 tonnes of cocaine and arresting 105 suspects. The year-long investigation, involving law enforcement from Cabo Verde, Colombia, France, Portugal, and the U.S., revealed the group had smuggled an estimated 57 tonnes of cocaine into Europe.
Separately, Portuguese authorities intercepted a semi-submersible vessel—known as a "narco-sub"—off the Azores, seizing 9 tonnes of cocaine and arresting four crew members. The vessel, carrying 300 bales of cocaine, sank during the operation, losing 35 bales to the ocean.
Deeper Dive & Context
Trafficking Methods and Logistics
The Spanish operation uncovered a sophisticated network using floating bases in the Atlantic, where speedboats operated at night to offload drugs from larger vessels. The group employed hi-tech surveillance equipment to monitor law enforcement movements and paid €12 million to silence a deceased crew member’s family.
The Portuguese seizure involved a semi-submersible vessel, a method first detected in European waters in 2006. The intercepted submersible was crewed by three Colombians and one Venezuelan, and the operation was conducted with support from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the UK National Crime Agency.
Historical and Financial Context
The seized cocaine in Portugal could be worth up to €600 million, according to local media. Semi-submersibles have been used in Latin America since the 1980s but were rarely detected in Europe until recent years. In 2019, the first fully loaded narco-sub was found in Galicia, Spain, carrying 3 tonnes of cocaine.
In March 2023, Portuguese authorities intercepted another narco-sub off the Azores, seizing 6.5 tonnes of cocaine. The latest seizure marks the largest single haul in Portugal’s history.
Law Enforcement Coordination
The operations highlight increased international cooperation in combating drug trafficking. Spanish police seized 30 boats, 70 vehicles, and surveillance equipment, while Portuguese authorities worked with naval and air force units to intercept the submersible under adverse weather conditions.
Both investigations underscore the evolving tactics of trafficking networks, which now employ advanced technology and maritime strategies to evade detection.