Spanish customs officers have made a significant seizure of 2.1 tons of cocaine on a yacht approximately 650 kilometers off the coast of Galicia in northwest Spain. The operation, announced by the Spanish Tax and Customs Authority (AEAT) on Monday, involved the detention of four crew members from Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, and Albania. The yacht, measuring 14 meters in length and flying the Polish flag, was under surveillance since its departure from the port of Roses on the Spanish Mediterranean coast in July.
The AEAT reported that the yacht was towed to the port of Vigo after the seizure. Authorities believe the incident is linked to a criminal group specializing in drug smuggling using sailing yachts, which offers its services to organizations in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The successful seizure was a collaborative effort involving French customs, Polish and British police, and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
According to the AEAT, the operation was part of the fight against drug trafficking on the "trans-Atlantic cocaine route." This route is known for the use of sailing boats from South America, which transfer drugs in the middle of the Atlantic before smuggling them into Europe. The customs authority did not initially disclose the origin of the drugs or when and where they were loaded onto the yacht.
An additional member of the suspected gang was arrested in Girona, near Barcelona, as part of the ongoing investigation. The AEAT described the seizure as a significant blow to drug trafficking efforts. The agency continues to investigate the incident, working to uncover more details about the criminal group involved.
The use of sailing yachts for drug smuggling has become a common tactic for traffickers. These vessels often travel from South America, transferring drugs in the Atlantic before heading towards European ports. The AEAT and other law enforcement agencies have been working to disrupt this route, with the recent seizure being a notable success.
The collaboration between Spanish authorities and international partners, including the DEA and European police forces, highlights the global effort to combat drug trafficking. The AEAT emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to address the threat posed by organized crime groups involved in drug smuggling.
The seized cocaine and detained crew members are currently being held for further investigation and potential prosecution. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in their efforts to curb drug trafficking and organized crime.
Key points
- Spanish authorities seized 2.1 tons of cocaine on a yacht off the coast of Galicia.
- Four crew members were detained, and an additional suspect was arrested in Girona.
- The operation was a collaborative effort involving multiple international law enforcement agencies.
