The National Police, working in a coordinated operation with officers from the Tax Office Customs Surveillance, has secured a record cocaine seizure at the Port of Algeciras in Cadiz, tallying 9,436 kilograms. This achievement is being described as a historic strike against drug trafficking in Spain, reflecting the scale of disruption caused to a major criminal network involved in smuggling cocaine into the country. The operation highlights the collaboration between law enforcement and customs authorities in managing high-risk corridors for illicit goods and demonstrates Spain’s ongoing commitment to dismantling large shipments before they reach distribution channels within European markets.
The drugs were linked to the so-called Nano operation, a rapid response initiative that began in mid July as authorities intercepted signals of a suspected smuggling plan. Intelligence indicated that a criminal organization was attempting to move the narcotics into Spain, prompting a thorough search and subsequent intervention. The seizure was tied to a chilled container shipment reportedly originating in Ecuador, which had been masked as a commercial cargo and claimed to contain a substantial consignment of bananas. Officials explained the details during a press briefing, outlining the steps taken to intercept the illicit cargo and prevent it from entering the domestic market. The operation underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation and the use of coordinated inspections to identify concealed consignments before they reach port facilities.
This latest haul surpasses the previous major cocaine interception at Algeciras in 2018, when authorities seized a total of 8,740 kilograms contained in a single banana shipment from Colombia. The 2024 seizure not only sets a new national record but also serves as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics used by organized crime to disguise illegal drugs within ordinary freight. The joint effort by police and customs authorities in Algeciras illustrates a persistent vigilance at key transit points along Spain’s southern coast, where shipments from the Americas are routinely screened for contraband. As investigations continue, officials anticipate additional details will emerge about the criminal network behind the shipment and the operational methods employed to launder and route such large quantities of cocaine toward European markets.