Operation Targets Cocaine Smuggling via High-Tech Floating Bases
The Spanish National Police has dismantled a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation that utilized floating bases in the Atlantic Ocean to transport drugs to shore. The operation resulted in the seizure of 10 metric tons of cocaine and the arrest of 105 suspects.
One-Year Investigation Involving Multiple Countries
A year-long investigation, conducted in cooperation with law enforcement agencies from countries such as Cabo Verde, Colombia, France, Portugal, and the United States, revealed that the group introduced approximately 57 metric tons of cocaine into Europe during this period.
High-Speed Boats and Advanced Surveillance Equipment
The high-speed boats operated at night from rivers in southern Spain, northwestern Galicia, the Canary Islands, Portugal, and Morocco. They ventured into the Atlantic to unload cocaine from transport and storage vessels.
“These operations created actual floating platforms where pilots remained aboard for over a month, executing multiple successive operations,” according to a statement from the Spanish National Police. Meanwhile, other group members employed sophisticated technology to monitor communications and movements of security organizations.
Seizure of Assets and Bribery
During the operation, authorities confiscated 30 vessels, 70 vehicles, and numerous high-tech communication and surveillance devices.
The investigation also uncovered that the group paid up to 12 million euros to the family of a deceased crew member to ensure their silence.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the main objective of this operation? The primary goal was to dismantle a cocaine trafficking network that used offshore floating bases in the Atlantic Ocean to transport drugs into Europe.
- Which countries collaborated in this operation? The investigation involved cooperation from law enforcement agencies in Cabo Verde, Colombia, France, Portugal, the United States, and Spain.
- How did the trafficking operation work? High-speed boats operated at night from various locations in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, transporting cocaine from floating storage vessels in the Atlantic Ocean.
- What assets were seized during the operation? Authorities confiscated 30 vessels, 70 vehicles, and numerous high-tech communication and surveillance devices.
- Did the group engage in any bribery or silence-buying schemes? Yes, the investigation revealed that the group paid up to 12 million euros to the family of a deceased crew member to ensure their silence.
