Fuerteventura key in biggest cocaine trafficking bust
The organization paid twelve million euros to the family of a crew member who died in a shipment to guarantee their silence.
Agents of the National Police have dismantled what they consider the largest network of cocaine traffickers that dominated the Atlantic and Spanish rivers using high‑speed “narcolanchas.” The operation involved 49 raids, the arrest of 105 individuals, and the seizure of 10,400 kg of cocaine.
The operation, dubbed “Black Shadow,” also resulted in the confiscation of:
- 70 vehicles
- 30 vessels
- Six properties
- Three firearms
- Over €800,000 in cash
- Two helicopters
- Multiple bank accounts
- More than 150 mobile phones
- Various nautical equipment and cutting‑edge electronic devices valued at €2.5 million
The investigation was carried out in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Morocco’s Directorate General for National Security (DGSN), Europol, the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC‑N), and authorities from France, Portugal, Colombia and Cape Verde.
After more than a year of probing led by Central Court No. 3 and the Special Anti‑Drug Prosecutor’s Office of the National Court, the operational phase in November succeeded in dismantling a criminal network specialized—according to authorities—in smuggling large quantities of cocaine into Spain via high‑speed boats known as narcolanchas.
Guadalquivir, Canary Islands, Galicia, Morocco and Portugal
The organization originated from the Guadalquivir River and other waterways in the provinces of Cádiz, Huelva, Almería, the Canary Islands, as well as the Moroccan and Portuguese coasts, before heading into the Atlantic. There, they rendezvoused with “mother ships” to transfer the narcotics for subsequent transport back to the Canary archipelago and southern mainland Spain.
The boats often exceeded 40 knots, employing encrypted communications, satellite terminals, hard‑to‑track mobile phones and coded language to evade detection. Night‑time operations further hampered police efforts.
The network’s structure spanned Galicia, Portugal, Huelva, Cádiz, Málaga, Almería, Girona and Ceuta, extending through Morocco to the islands of Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Tenerife.
Law enforcement executed 49 entries and searches, supported by the Special Operations Group (GEO) and the Special Security Operations Group (GOES):
- 14 raids in Lanzarote
- 14 raids in Gran Canaria
- 2 raids in Fuerteventura
- 11 raids in Algeciras
- 7 raids in La Línea de la Concepción
- 2 raids in Jerez
These actions seized the assets listed above, as well as high‑frequency jammers, Wi‑Fi amplifiers used to extend signal range at sea, satellite links, and a large cache of encrypted mobile devices and nautical gear.
Authorities also targeted the main distribution and money‑laundering hub in the Campo de Gibraltar, which supplied secure communication terminals to most Andalusian traffickers and a variety of navigation equipment for narcolancha voyages.
More Than a Month at Sea
The cartel established floating platforms where pilots remained aboard for over a month, conducting successive operations. These platforms allowed precise crew changes while at sea and were stocked with necessary goods and services.
They maintained their own fuel depots, using over 100,000 liters of gasoline. Smaller vessels supplied fuel, provisions, communication gear, and even clothing for the “notaries” who escorted the drugs from the mother ship to Spain.
Additional members stationed at control points performed surveillance to track the positions of maritime and aerial law‑enforcement assets, creating an extensive network of coastal security checkpoints.
Paying for Silence
Police learned that the organization paid €12 million to the family of a crew member who died during a shipment, in order to secure their silence and prevent any link to the criminal activities.
Operation in Two Phases
The crackdown unfolded in two phases:
First Phase (June last year) – 48 arrests and 29 searches across Lanzarote (14), Gran Canaria (13) and Fuerteventura (2). Seized assets included:
- Approximately €100,000 in cash
- ~3,800 kg of cocaine
- 69 vehicles (including 19 boats and jet skis)
- Six properties
- Bank accounts, three short firearms, extensive documentation, satellite phones and geolocation devices for maritime trafficking.
Second Phase (November) – 20 searches in Cádiz province (11 in Algeciras, 7 in La Línea de la Concepción, 2 in Jerez). Confiscated:
- More than €700,000 in cash
- Two helicopters
- Additional nautical equipment and sophisticated technology used by the criminal network operating in the Campo de Gibraltar.
Investigations revealed that the cartel was responsible for introducing 57,000 kg of cocaine into Europe over the past year, with coordinators in Morocco, Cádiz and the Canary Islands handling shipments from Colombia and Brazil. Portuguese authorities intercepted 6,600 kg aboard a semi‑submersible vessel.
The National Police, together with Europol and other international law‑enforcement agencies, executed the operation using European Union financing instruments.
Strategic Focus
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- Establishing a future‑ready security environment
- Combating emerging threats
- Protecting European citizens from terrorism and organized crime
- Building a robust European security ecosystem