Spanish customs authorities announced a significant drug seizure on Monday, intercepting a staggering eight tonnes of cocaine hidden within a container arriving from Suriname.
This haul ranks as one of the largest discovered in the country to date.
The container, which landed at the southern port of Algeciras, concealed a cleverly designed metal structure made from a special alloy intended to thwart customs scanners.
However, the vigilant agents recognized anomalies within the structure, leading them to uncover the eight tonnes of “very high purity cocaine,” according to a statement from the Agencia Tributaria.
Authorities apprehended three individuals in connection with the shipment, including the intended recipient.
Spain’s geographical proximity to both Latin America, the primary source of cocaine, and Morocco, a major hub for cannabis resin, makes it a key entry point for illicit drugs into Europe.
This seizure comes on the heels of a tragic incident last Friday night, where two police officers were killed off the Barbate coast, roughly 70 kilometers west of Algeciras.
Their patrol boat was rammed by a speedboat carrying drug traffickers, resulting in the deaths of the officers and injuries to two others. Eight individuals were apprehended in connection with the attack.
Following these events, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating drug smuggling in the Gibraltar Strait, a notorious hotspot for such activities.
He committed to “continuing to invest whatever necessary” to bolster efforts in the region.
However, he rejected calls for resignation from Spain’s right-wing opposition and local police unions, who have been vocal about the need for increased resources to effectively tackle drug trafficking.
