Summary According to foreign media, the operation is being described as the largest drug seizure in European history
MADRID (Web Desk) - Police in Spain seized 30 tonnes of cocaine from a cargo vessel near the Canary Islands and detained all 23 crew members on board.
According to foreign media, the operation is being described as the largest drug seizure in European history.
Spain’s High Court said the Arconian, sailing under the flag of the Comoros, was intercepted by the Guardia Civil on May 1.
Authorities estimated the value of the confiscated narcotics at more than $956 million.
The cocaine haul surpassed the previous European record of 25 tonnes seized at the Port of Hamburg, Germany, in June 2024.
Spain’s earlier national record was the seizure of 13 tonnes of narcotics discovered last year in banana containers arriving from Ecuador at Port of Algeciras.
According to reports, the latest operation was carried out with the cooperation of American and Dutch authorities.
Investigators believe the cocaine was intended to be transferred at sea to high-speed boats and then smuggled into mainland Spain.
Officials also recovered weapons and ammunition from the vessel, while six individuals were found hiding on board.
Seventeen crew members were identified as nationals of the Philippines, while the six hidden individuals were reportedly from the Netherlands and Suriname.
