In a coordinated operation involving the Civil Guard, the Tax Office, and the National Police, authorities seized 2,000 kilograms of cocaine that had been hidden in the ballast tanks of a merchant vessel at Santa Cruz de Tenerife port. The search required an extensive, hands-on inspection of the ship that extended over 15 hours to ensure every compartment and system was thoroughly checked for hidden contraband. The operation culminated on December 18 with the interception of the drugs and the detention of six individuals, five of whom were crew members aboard the vessel.
The action began around 9:00 in the morning on December 18, coinciding with the arrival of the Italian-flagged vessel Grande Francia at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife port. The Grande Francia measures about 214 meters in length and is classified as a Ro-Ro ship, designed to transport wheeled cargo. It had departed Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and was en route to Marseille, France, following a route frequently used by drug trafficking networks to move narcotics across the Atlantic sea lanes.
Following the ship’s docking, a joint team comprising Civil Guard officers, National Police agents, and Tax Office officials initiated an anchorage visit, a procedure that entails a staged, multi-point inspection while the vessel remains anchored. Over more than 15 hours, every area of the ship underwent careful scrutiny, including the ballast tanks that are typically used to stabilize large vessels. It was during this meticulous examination that investigators identified a ballast tank that warranted closer inspection due to unusual features associated with illicit cargo transport.
Upon opening the ballast tank, authorities discovered a large quantity of drug concealment. Inside were burlap-wrapped bundles commonly used in the shipment of cocaine. In total, 69 bales were recovered, equating to a gross weight of 2,055 kilograms of cocaine. Beyond the narcotics, investigators found items that would support a quick offloading operation, such as life jackets, positioning devices, ropes, and food and fuel supplies, all of which could facilitate the removal of the cargo in a coordinated criminal undertaking. The seizure was complemented by the detention of six individuals connected to the vessel, including five crew members from different nationalities and a sixth person who had been on shore at the time of the operation, all implicated in the drug trafficking scheme.
The detainees and the seized drugs were handed over to the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Court of Investigation No. 3 to continue the case under judicial supervision. This operation reflects ongoing collaboration among national authorities and aligns with international information-sharing channels that support joint efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks on a global scale.