The Spanish National Police has dismantled a major criminal network involved in trafficking cocaine from South America to the Canary Islands using high-speed vessels.
The operation followed months of investigation and resulted in 48 arrests. Those detained formed part of a hierarchical organisation with coordinators based in the Canary Islands responsible for receiving and distributing cocaine shipments originating in Colombia and Brazil. A total of 29 searches were carried out across Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
Authorities seized 3.8 tonnes of cocaine, along with 69 vehicles – including 19 boats and jet skis – six properties, several bank accounts, three firearms, nearly €100,000 in cash, and equipment linked to maritime drug trafficking. The network operated with 11 high-speed boats departing from various points in the Atlantic.
Operation SOMBRA NEGRA was conducted in cooperation with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Europol, MAOC (N), and law enforcement authorities in France, Portugal, Poland, Colombia and Cape Verde.
This successful operation once again highlights the critical importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime and international maritime drug trafficking.
Press Release: https://policia.es/_es/comunicacion_prensa_detalle.php?ID=16576
