By Peter Omopo
Spanish authorities have seized almost 10 tonnes of cocaine from a container ship in the Atlantic Ocean in what has been described as the country’s largest-ever maritime drug bust.
Police said the Cameroon-flagged vessel, which had sailed from Brazil and was en route to Europe, was intercepted and searched last week following an international intelligence-led operation. During the raid, officers discovered 9,994 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in 294 packages hidden within a shipment of salt.
Thirteen crew members were arrested in connection with the seizure, while a firearm allegedly used to guard the drugs was also recovered on board the vessel.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France and Portugal, highlighting growing international cooperation in the fight against transnational drug trafficking.
Spain’s location and transport links, as well as its proximity to Latin America and Morocco — a major cannabis-producing region — have made it a key gateway for illegal drugs entering Europe.
Authorities said the latest seizure surpasses previous maritime interceptions, reinforcing Spain’s role at the forefront of efforts to curb large-scale cocaine smuggling into the continent.
