Spanish police seize up to 40 tonnes of cocaine off Western Sahara in May 2026, arresting 23 suspects in major trafficking bust.
Spanish authorities have carried out one of the largest drug seizures in history, intercepting up to 40 tonnes of cocaine from a cargo ship off the coast of Western Sahara.
The operation took place in early May 2026 and was led by Spain’s Guardia Civil as part of an ongoing crackdown on international drug trafficking. Officers boarded the vessel in the Atlantic Ocean near Western Sahara and discovered between 35,000 and 40,000 kilograms of cocaine hidden on board.
The ship, registered in the Comoros Islands, had departed from Freetown and was reportedly heading toward the Mediterranean when it was intercepted.
Following the seizure, the vessel was escorted to the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where authorities began unloading the drugs and continuing their investigation.
A total of 23 suspects were arrested in connection with the operation, with those detained including Dutch, Filipino, and Angolan nationals.
Officials described the bust as “record-breaking,” surpassing previous major cocaine seizures in Spain and highlighting the scale of trafficking routes operating between West Africa and Europe.
The case is currently under judicial secrecy as investigators work to identify the full network behind the shipment, which is believed to be linked to organised international drug trafficking groups.
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- Spain makes largest-ever cocaine seizure at sea
Reports are sourced from official documents, law-enforcement updates, and credible investigations.
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