National Police agents joined forces with the Serbian police to run a coordinated operation across multiple countries. Europe, together with the Spanish Navy and police forces from Portugal, Slovenia, Croatia, Brazil, Poland, France, the USA DEA, and MAOC-N (Maritime Analysis and Narcotics Operations Center), enabled the disruption of a Balkan-based criminal network believed to be involved in cocaine smuggling and distribution into Europe by sea from South America. The group was intercepted aboard a sailboat in international waters near the Canary Islands, carrying almost 2,700 kilograms of cocaine. Two crew members were arrested, and authorities relocated the main organizer in Serbia along with three other associates, bringing the total number of arrested individuals to six.
The investigation began at the start of 2022, after Spain and Serbia, under EUROPOL coordination, received intelligence from Slavic authorities indicating that a major criminal organization in the region was planning a sea-based cocaine shipment. The intelligence prompted heightened scrutiny and cross-border cooperation across the involved agencies.
Researchers found that members of the organization and their associates moved frequently to avoid scrutiny. The alleged leader traveled to Spain on multiple occasions, using a false Croatian identity to hide from international warrants.
The investigation confirmed via advanced forensics and intelligence gathering that Croatia-based operatives met with Latin American drug suppliers and later selected the crew for the drug-smuggling voyage. Several members were documented traveling to the Cape Verde Islands and to Latin American countries such as Colombia and Brazil on multiple occasions.
go to sea
In June, authorities spotted a 22-meter sailboat believed to have departed from Brazil about a month earlier and to have entered the Atlantic roughly 100 miles offshore, during which time the vessel was loaded with narcotics. Once intelligence confirmed the ship’s route toward Europe, authorities activated the necessary procedures to board the vessel.
Armed with comprehensive information, a GEO strike team aboard a Spanish Navy vessel boarded the sailboat in the early hours of August 24, approximately 700 miles west of the Canary Islands. After the boarding, the two crew members were detained, and about 2,700 kilograms of cocaine were seized, distributed in 89 duffel bags. Investigators also recovered several high-end GPS devices and a satellite phone.
The operation underscored how criminal networks exploit maritime routes and aging vessels to maximize profits, often leveraging older ships that can be acquired at lower prices. The seized vessel was subsequently towed by the Spanish naval unit and later sank due to its deteriorated condition, illustrating the high risk and instability of the vessels used in these schemes.
Following the maritime action, Serbian authorities conducted a broad house-to-house operation, searching 15 properties and seizing cash totaling 550,000 euros, two luxury cars, and numerous high-end watches. The alleged Balkan crime syndicate leader and three other members were arrested, and authorities indicated that the investigation remains active with the possibility of additional arrests.