Spanish authorities have carried out one of the largest anti-drug operations in European history after intercepting the cargo ship Arconian near the Canary Islands.
More than 30 tonnes of cocaine were discovered onboard the Comoros-flagged vessel, with an estimated street value of around €812 million.
The operation was conducted on May 1 by the Spanish Guardia Civil in cooperation with authorities from the United States and the Netherlands.
Investigators believe the drugs were intended to be transferred at sea onto high-speed boats, which would then transport the cargo to mainland Spain.
The vessel was reportedly sailing from Sierra Leone, while its declared destination was Libya.
There were 23 crew members onboard, including:
- 17 citizens of the Philippines
- crew members from the Netherlands and Suriname
Authorities also discovered weapons, ammunition, and large quantities of fuel, believed to be intended for drug-running speedboats.
During the boarding operation, several crew members allegedly attempted to flee. All suspects were detained and placed in custody without bail due to the seriousness of the charges.
According to Spanish media reports, investigators are examining possible links to international criminal organizations, including the Mocro Mafia.
The seizure surpassed Spain’s previous record of 13 tonnes of cocaine intercepted in Algeciras in 2025 and exceeded the 25-tonne seizure in Hamburg in 2024.
The investigation remains ongoing, with additional details expected to be released by Spanish authorities.
