In a coordinated action between the National Police, Civil Guard, and the Tax Office Customs Inspection, authorities intercepted a maritime vessel at dawn on June 3 south of the Canary Islands. The flagless fishing boat, carrying 560 kilograms of cocaine bound for Europe, was seized along with eight crew members who were Brazilian nationals. The operation highlighted an international effort to disrupt illegal drug shipments by sea.
The operation, labeled the Brazilian White, involved a 19-meter fishing vessel adapted for drug transport. The intercept occurred about 270 nautical miles south of the Canary Islands as part of a planned transfer, with the vessel expected to reach Las Palmas Harbor on the morning of Tuesday, June 7. The capture marked a significant step in suppressing cross-Atlantic cocaine trafficking routes.
The mission was directed and coordinated by the National Supreme Court Drug Enforcement Prosecutor, with international cooperation forming a key element. Information exchange between investigative agencies, MAOC-N and CITCO, played a critical role in identifying the suspicious vessel linked to South American narcotics networks. The operation underscores the importance of cross-border intelligence sharing in suppressing organized crime and drug trafficking.
Footage and reports from the Canary Islands area captured the moment of the capture showing a flagless fishing boat and eight crew members associated with the vessel. The authorities released information through official channels to document the event and its broader implications for European security efforts.
A complex operation in the Atlantic
Following the interception, the Deputy Director of Customs Surveillance for the Tax Office established precise location, identification, and deployment plans in coordination with the National Police Central Narcotics Brigade and the Civil Guard UTPJ. The target was eventually boarded by the Tax Office’s Special Operations Ship Petrel and secured for investigation. The operation tested the limits of maritime coordination and required careful execution under evolving conditions.
The mission faced considerable maritime challenges and limited initial information regarding the vessel’s position. Harsh weather near the Madeira archipelago, driven by a storm system from the Azores, added to the complexity of the pursuit. Despite these obstacles, the Petrel crew conducted a rapid, precise boarding under strict safety protocols, ensuring the integrity of the operation and the safety of personnel.
During the response, a large quantity of drug-related packaging associated with cocaine trafficking was found on board. Eight crew members were detained, and the vessel was seized for further investigation. After securing the detainees, the Petrel towed the fishing boat toward Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where both the crew and vessel would be processed under judicial oversight. The substance, the vessel, and the officers involved would be submitted to the Central Education Court acting as the designated protection officer for the nation’s judiciary system.
This operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking in Atlantic routes. The Atlantic Trail, a cocaine trafficking corridor historically used by South American fishing vessels, remains a focus of enforcement actions aimed at intercepting narcotics before they reach European markets. The operation demonstrates ongoing international cooperation and the continued commitment to disrupting illicit supply chains, ultimately protecting public safety in Canada, the United States, and allied nations. [Attribution: National Police, Civil Guard, and Tax Office Customs Inspection coordination, with MAOC-N and CITCO support]