Dutch mafia ship loaded with hashish is intercepted in the Canary Islands

In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, a blow has been dealt to the drug trade in the Canary Islands. Officers from the National Police and the Customs Surveillance Service of the Tax Agency have thwarted a smuggling attempt by intercepting a vessel carrying over six tonnes of hashish in waters south of the Canary Islands. At the same time, an international criminal organization based in Alicante has been dismantled.

The operation has led to the arrest of five people, including the ringleader of this international drug trafficking and money laundering network. This person, who was wanted by German authorities and faced a potential prison sentence of 15 years, has been arrested.

Throughout the operation, six raids were conducted across various provinces (Alicante, Murcia, Las Palmas, and Madrid), resulting in the seizure of multiple mobile and satellite phones, documentation related to the organization's vessels, a sum exceeding 35,000 euros in cash, two boats, and a car. Agents also uncovered and dismantled a clandestine laboratory producing synthetic drugs in an industrial warehouse in a town in Murcia.

The investigation, initiated in 2020 by the Central Narcotics Brigade, followed the identification of a sailing boat suspected of drug trafficking in Lanzarote. Over time, investigators established international links and uncovered the organization's possible affiliation with a criminal group of Dutch origin.

FIVE COUNTRIES HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THIS ANTI-DRUG OPERATION IN THE CANARY ISLANDS

Collaboration was pivotal in this operation. Support was provided by the Judiciary Police of Portugal, the Swedish Police through their Nordic Countries Interior Attaché in Spain, the Dutch Police through their Interior Attaché in Spain, as well as the French Customs Authorities (DNRD) and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (MAOC) based in Lisbon, Portugal.

The hub of the Dutch organization's operations was located in Alicante, led by an influential drug trafficker with international connections that facilitated the transportation of large volumes of drugs between European countries. Operating with high levels of security, their modus operandi displayed remarkable complexity, as members travelled between countries to discuss operations, complicating police investigations.

However, after months of investigation, it was discovered that the organization was preparing for a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Suspecting that this journey could involve illicit substances, security forces decided to intervene south of the Canary Islands. After searching the boat they found 169 bundles containing 6,044 kilograms of hashish onboard and arrested its two crew members.

Also, during a raid at a warehouse in Murcia, a clandestine laboratory used for the production of synthetic drugs was dismantled. A significant quantity of substances used for pill manufacturing and industrial machinery for the production and counting of tablets was found.

In another intervention, carried out at the home of one of the detainees in Alicante, small quantities of illicit substances such as "tusi" (pink cocaine), hashish, marijuana, and crystal meth were confiscated, along with paperwork related to their retail distribution.