Last year, the Valencia port made headlines by seizing a staggering 13 tons of cocaine, a record that underlined the scale of narcotics moving through this European gateway. The new year opened with a parallel development as another substantial quantity of illicit drugs was intercepted soon after entering Spain via Valencia. In this instance, the success came from sharp police detection rather than the outcome of a lengthy investigative lead. The Civil Guard reported that the stop occurred on a Wednesday when officers halted a truck tied to port operations after a routine check flagged unusual activity along its journey.
Inside the heavy vehicle, operators found two people concealed behind the cabin seats. A careful inspection revealed 142 packages, each weighing about one kilogram, containing a white substance later confirmed by laboratory tests as cocaine.
Three individuals connected to the vehicle were arrested on charges related to public health offenses as they tried to move the drugs out of the Valencia port. One suspect is a 35-year-old Argentinian man described as an alleged drug handler. A second suspect, a 33-year-old Albanian man, was identified as an alleged notary for arranging pickup and delivery of the illegal goods, while the truck driver is a Spanish national.
The arrests unfolded around noontime on a Wednesday when armed unit members conducting surveillance in the terminal tracked a suspicious route directing the truck toward the exit gates. Before the heavy vehicle could depart the port premises, law enforcement officials stopped it with assistance from the site’s private security personnel.
The accused traffickers faced limited chances to escape once confronted. The truck driver offered no resistance, and the other two suspects who had been hiding in the cabin did not attempt to flee either.
The narcotics were packed in two sacks, distributed in packages weighing 1,000 grams each. The Civil Guard continues to investigate the origin of the cocaine and its intended destination, aiming to map the trafficking network behind this shipment and understand how it reached the port in the first place.
The three detainees have already appeared before the Valencia Instruction Court Number One, which ordered their placement in temporary detention without bail. This case adds to a long-running pattern in which the port of Valencia has emerged as a critical access point for cocaine entering Europe. While Barcelona had overtaken Valencia in previous years for cocaine flow, the latest developments reinforce Valencia’s prominent role in illicit trade as authorities intensify scrutiny and disruption efforts.
In related assessments, authorities emphasize the ongoing need for coordinated inspections at major entry points, the importance of rapid response to suspicious activity, and the value of information-sharing among customs, port security, and law enforcement agencies. The case continues to develop as prosecutors review the evidence and determine the broader scope of the trafficking network involved in this shipment.
These seizures reflect a persistent challenge for European security agencies that monitor drug trafficking routes into and across the continent. Observers note that high-volume corridors at large ports remain especially vulnerable to smuggling attempts, prompting ongoing investments in surveillance technologies, personnel training, and cross-border cooperation to deter narcotics infiltration and protect public health.
Officials caution that although significant seizures demonstrate progress, they also signal that drug traffickers remain resourceful. The focus remains on disrupting supply chains, identifying suppliers and middlemen, and seizing assets connected to the illicit trade, as part of a broader strategy to safeguard communities and maintain port operations’ integrity.
As investigations continue, authorities affirm their commitment to transparency in reporting outcomes and to updating the public on new measures designed to prevent similar attempts in the future. The Valencia port authorities and national security agencies reiterate their resolve to maintain rigorous controls amid evolving smuggling tactics and to uphold the safety of travelers, workers, and commuters who rely on the port complex daily. Sources: Civil Guard updates and court reports