Spanish authorities announced that they have dismantled an international drug trafficking network that was shipping large quantities of cocaine from Colombia to Europe. The operation revealed complex smuggling methods carried out via container ships.

Officials reported that 'monkeys,' individuals who are good swimmers, were used to load the drugs onto the ships. They also indicated that methods such as hijacking ships, open-sea deliveries, and transferring drugs using small boats were employed.

Months-Long Investigation

The investigation, which lasted for months, was jointly conducted by the Spanish National Police, the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil), and the Tax Agency. The investigation uncovered the activities of three separate criminal organizations linked to the Balkan Cartel.

Officials stated that these three organizations acted in a coordinated manner at different stages of the operation and established a drug route extending from Colombia to Spain.

Interventions on Container Ships

Last summer, police acted upon distress calls from two separate container ships.

Incident in the Waters off Cadiz

In the first incident, the crew of a container ship sailing towards Cadiz noticed illegal passengers on board and alerted the Maritime Rescue Service. When police reached the ship, it was assessed that at least three individuals tasked with retrieving the drugs had hurriedly fled the vessel.

On the deck of the ship, 38 bales were found removed from the containers. While the ship was towed to Cadiz Port, police seized a total of 1,355 kilograms of cocaine.

Ship in Portuguese Waters

In another incident, another container ship sailing in Portuguese territorial waters reported the presence of armed illegal passengers on board. It was determined that the illegal passengers attempted to seize the ship and managed to lower some drug bales hidden in containers into the sea.

Vehicle Seized in Malaga Deepens Investigation

In October, police seized a vehicle containing 88 kilograms of cocaine in Malaga. This seizure led the investigation to three different organizations:

An organization operating in Colombia and Spain.

A structure linked to the Balkan Cartel, the owner of the drugs.

A third group operating in the Campo de Gibraltar region that provided logistical support to the other two organizations.

'Monkey' Method: Swimming Drugs to Ships

The investigation revealed that the organizations used a method referred to as 'monkey.' In this method, young individuals from low-income families who are good swimmers were employed.

These individuals swam the drug bales to container ships and loaded them onto the vessels at sea. The same individuals or affiliated groups crossed to the Spanish coast to seize the drugs before the ships reached the Strait of Gibraltar.

High-Speed Boats and Military Tactics

Officials indicated that the group occasionally procured high-speed boats to stop container ships. It was determined that the crew on the small boats collected drugs thrown into the sea or used military techniques to enter containers and seize the smuggled cocaine.

In some operations, suspects on small boats were reported to have been neutralized.

19 Raids, Tons of Drugs

Police conducted a total of 19 separate raids to dismantle the three gangs. As a result of the operations:

2,475 kilograms of cocaine.

Weapons used in the operations.

166,000 euros in cash.

Jewelry and watches worth 100,000 euros.

Gasoline canisters.

Ladders, GPS devices, and various maritime equipment.

Additionally, authorities seized real estate valued at approximately 5 million euros and four cryptocurrency wallets. Numerous secret facilities used for drug storage were also uncovered.

30 People Arrested

A total of 30 individuals were arrested as part of the operation. The Spanish police stated that the dismantled network is believed to be responsible for large-scale cocaine shipments to the country.

It was reported that the investigation would be expanded to include international connections.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye