Spanish law enforcement has made the largest maritime cocaine seizure in the country’s history, intercepting a cargo vessel carrying nearly 10 metric tons of the drug concealed within a shipment of salt while en route from Brazil to Europe. The operation, codenamed “White Tide,” reflects the scale and complexity of transnational narcotics trafficking and international cooperation to counter it.
Historic Seizure on the High Seas
Spanish National Police, acting on intelligence about a multinational criminal network exporting cocaine from South America to Europe, intercepted the suspect vessel approximately 535 kilometers (332 miles) southwest of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Officers discovered 9,994 kilograms (22,033 pounds) of cocaine concealed in 294 separate bales meticulously hidden beneath a cargo of salt.
Thirteen crew members were taken into custody during the operation, and authorities also recovered a handgun believed to have been used to guard the illicit shipment.
Video footage released by police shows officers boarding the vessel from speedboats, escorting suspects into custody, and using shovels and hands to uncover and remove the concealed drug packages from under the salt.
International Coordination Against Trafficking
Operation White Tide was not conducted by Spanish authorities alone. It involved cooperation with multiple international partners, including:
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Brazil’s Federal Police
- Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA)
- Law enforcement authorities from France and Portugal
- Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre–Narcotics (MAOC)
- Spain’s intelligence centre CITCO
Police described the coordinated effort as a “decisive blow to international criminal networks involved in maritime cocaine trafficking,” highlighting the importance of joint investigations and shared intelligence in disrupting global narcotics supply chains.
Vessel Drift and Towing to Port
After the raid, the container ship ran out of fuel and remained adrift at sea for nearly 12 hours before being towed by Spain’s maritime rescue service (SASEMAR) to the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
Once docked, officers transferred the cocaine bales onto the pier for evidentiary processing and further investigation.
Context: Spain’s Role in Cocaine Trafficking Routes
Spain’s geographical position, with historical and commercial links to Latin America and proximity to North Africa, has long made it a key entry point for illicit drugs into Europe. The Canary Islands, in particular, serve as a recurrent transit hub for cocaine shipments that embark from South America and cross the Atlantic.
This seizure builds on a series of major drug busts in recent years. For instance:
- In 2024, Spanish authorities seized 13 tons of cocaine hidden in a shipment of bananas from Ecuador — the largest haul ever intercepted in the country.
- In late 2025, Spanish police seized 6.5 tons of cocaine following a U.S. tip-off after raiding a ship off the Canary Islands.
- Earlier in 2025, authorities dismantled a trafficking ring using high-speed “narco boats” to move cocaine from Brazil and Colombia to the Canary Islands.
Judicial Actions Following the Arrests
After being taken into custody, six of the thirteen crew members were ordered to remain in pretrial detention by Spain’s National Court, while the remaining seven were granted provisional release amid ongoing investigations. A judge cited evidence suggesting some crew members may have been coerced at gunpoint to transport the drugs, according to legal filings.
The White Tide operation represents a landmark achievement in international law enforcement efforts against large-scale maritime cocaine trafficking. It underscores:
- The ever-evolving tactics used by criminal networks to conceal drugs in legitimate cargo;
- The strategic importance of maritime routes and ports in the global narcotics trade;
- The value of multinational cooperation in intercepting illicit supplies before they reach European markets.
As global authorities continue to adapt to sophisticated smuggling methods, this record seizure highlights both the scale of the challenge and the results of coordinated action.
