Spain Seizes 10 Tonnes of Cocaine in Atlantic Bust

Spanish police have intercepted a merchant ship in the Atlantic Ocean, seizing nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine. The haul represents the country's largest-ever maritime drug bust.

The National Police recovered 9,994 kilos of cocaine hidden inside a cargo of salt. The operation was conducted with international support from the DEA and the NCA.

Authorities arrested 13 people following the interception. The seizure disrupts a major smuggling route used by transnational criminal organizations.

The National Police successfully intercepted the merchant vessel in international waters. The ship was traveling through the Atlantic Ocean when authorities moved in.

Upon boarding and searching the vessel, officers discovered the massive drug shipment. The cocaine was expertly concealed within a legitimate cargo of salt, a common tactic used by smugglers to avoid detection.

The sheer volume of the seizure makes it a historic achievement for Spanish law enforcement. With 9,994 kilos of narcotics removed from circulation, this operation stands as the largest maritime bust in the nation's history.

This successful operation highlights the importance of global law enforcement collaboration. The bust was not a solo effort but rather the result of a coordinated international operation.

The National Police received critical support from two major international agencies:

• The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)
• The NCA (National Crime Agency)

These partnerships are essential for tracking and interdicting drug shipments that traverse international boundaries. Intelligence sharing between nations allows law enforcement to dismantle complex smuggling networks that operate across the globe.

Following the successful seizure of the narcotics, authorities moved quickly to dismantle the local cell of the organization. The operation concluded with the arrest of thirteen individuals.

These arrests target the logistics and distribution network responsible for receiving the shipment. By apprehending key personnel, law enforcement aims to cripple the infrastructure of the drug trafficking group.

The suspects are now facing serious charges related to international drug trafficking. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify other members of the network.

The removal of nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine from the market represents a significant financial blow to the criminal organization involved. The wholesale value of such a shipment runs into hundreds of millions of euros.

Beyond the financial impact, this bust disrupts the supply chain to street-level markets across Europe. It prevents thousands of individual doses from reaching communities.

Operations of this scale demonstrate the capability of modern law enforcement to track and intercept large-scale smuggling vessels. However, officials acknowledge that the fight against drug trafficking requires constant vigilance and continued international cooperation.