Fuerteventura arrest among four in Canary Islands firearms trafficking investigation

The Guardia Civil says it has dismantled a suspected firearms trafficking network that supplied groups linked to drug trafficking in the Canary Islands. Four people have been arrested, including two detained in Fuerteventura and La Gomera in late October 2026.

Officers seized nine firearms, 500 cartridges, one kilogram of cocaine and €15,000 in cash during the investigation, known as Operation TERMINALES. One of the four detainees has been remanded in custody, while two other people are under investigation for their alleged involvement.

Investigation began at Vigo airport

The operation began in October 2025, when officers intercepted firearms and ammunition at Vigo airport that a person intended to take to the Canary Islands by air. Investigators said the carrier had been paid to transport the concealed weapons. A second person, identified as the alleged organiser of the transport, was arrested days later in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

The Pontevedra Guardia Civil command said documents seized and information exchanged with Europol and authorities in Portugal, France and Italy led investigators to a wider organisation. The two arrests in Fuerteventura and La Gomera followed the identification and location of the alleged leaders of the network.

The four detainees are aged 35, 42, 45 and 46, live in the Canary Islands and have criminal records, the command said. They are under investigation for alleged membership of a criminal group, illicit trafficking and possession of firearms and ammunition, and drug-related offences.

Weapons and drugs seized

Investigators said the network acquired weapons and ammunition abroad and brought them to the Canary Islands from mainland Spain. Among them were so-called ghost guns: illegally assembled pistols without serial numbers or identifying marks, making them difficult to trace. Members allegedly used encrypted messaging applications to coordinate transport.

During six searches, officers seized seven pistols, a revolver, a rifle, a silencer and cartridges of various calibres. They also found equipment allegedly intended for adulterating and distributing drugs, and a vehicle fitted with a concealed compartment for transporting weapons and drugs. Documents and electronic devices were seized for analysis.

The investigation was directed by the investigating section of the Vigo court, which ordered one detainee to be held in custody.