Spanish authorities seize record cocaine shipment at Algeciras

Spanish authorities have intercepted more than 13t of cocaine in the largest drug seizure in Spain’s history. The shipment, hidden among a consignment of bananas, was discovered in the port of Algeciras on 14 October. The cocaine, a total of 13,062kg of Colombian cocaine, had arrived from Ecuador and was concealed in a container destined for a fruit company in Alicante.

This seizure surpasses the previous record set in August 2023 when 9,436kg of cocaine were found in a similar shipment from Ecuador. This operation not only represents the largest drug seizure in Spain’s history but also ranks as the second-largest cocaine shipment ever intercepted in a single container in Europe and one of the most significant worldwide.

Discovery and investigation

The drugs were carefully hidden behind a screen of banana boxes, with many of the boxes containing bricks of cocaine packed to fit the exact dimensions of the boxes. Authorities conducted a detailed inspection, uncovering the hidden drugs. In response, Spanish authorities swiftly launched an investigation, conducting five raids in Madrid and Alicante. A woman connected to the importing company was arrested in Toledo, while two managers of the company remain at large.

The Ecuadorian exporter of the bananas had previously been flagged in customs and police databases due to a history of illicit activities. This led to a thorough investigation, which was made possible by the collaboration between Spanish and Ecuadorian authorities. The National Directorate of Anti-Drug Investigations in Ecuador played a key role in profiling the shipment, alerting Spanish investigators and ensuring a detailed inspection of the container.

Authorities are continuing to analyse the seized documentation, and investigations into the two missing managers of the importing company are ongoing.