The Arrest of “El Buque” Helps Dismantle One of Spain’s Most Active Drug Trafficking Networks

The notorious drug lord’s network had branches on the island of Fuerteventura

The arrest of the Canary Island native known as “El Buque” by the Guardia Civil and the National Police—after he turned himself in earlier this week—has allowed authorities to dismantle one of Spain’s most active drug‑trafficking networks. The operation resulted in 17 arrests and 23 raids and searches.

“El Buque surrendered to the National Police precisely because of the pressure from the investigation itself,” said Anselmo Pestana, the Government Delegate in the Canary Islands, after being questioned by journalists.

The capture of the criminal group’s leader was described as a high‑value target for European police forces. In a joint statement, the National Police and the Guardia Civil explained that the investigation, now concluding after more than a year, succeeded in breaking down the entire criminal structure by arresting all its members for drug trafficking and membership in a criminal organization.

In March 2025, “El Buque” was caught after his wife and son were kidnapped from the luxury chalet they occupied in the El Salobre residential area of southern Gran Canaria.

The dismantled network, allegedly led by “El Buque,” specialized in smuggling large quantities of cocaine into Spanish territory via maritime vessels. It maintained strong international links and was especially active in the southern part of Gran Canaria.

To conceal the drugs, the group employed sophisticated methods, moving several tons per shipment. Police operations at sea intercepted approximately 100 kg of cocaine and another 100 kg of hashish after two high‑sea pursuits.

In total, 24 vessels were seized and, to date, 17 arrests have been made in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, as well as on the islands of La Gomera and Fuerteventura.

During the 23 raids carried out across various judicial districts in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and La Gomera, authorities confiscated large sums of cash, 14 properties now under the jurisdiction of the Audiencia Nacional, 38 vehicles, and extensive digital and documentary material for further analysis.

The investigation was conducted by the Central Court of Instruction No. 6, with the support of the Special Anti‑Drug Prosecutor’s Office of the Audiencia Nacional. The operation also benefited from cooperation with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), EUROPOL, the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC‑N), and the Counter‑Terrorism and Organized Crime Intelligence Center (CITCO).

“All these institutions have been fundamental in tracking the transnational movements of the organization and intercepting its communications at critical stages of the investigation,” officials emphasized.