Madrid, 12/11/2024 (MAP) – In a major anti-drug operation, the Spanish Civil Guard, with vital intelligence support from Morocco’s Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), successfully intercepted over 4.7 metric tons of hashish on two rubber boats between the Canary Islands of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. The operation, which underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating drug trafficking, was conducted on the high seas, resulting in the arrest of four crew members.
The collaboration between Spanish and Moroccan authorities proved critical to the success of this intervention. Using an advanced maritime surveillance system, authorities located the drug-laden vessels approximately 80 kilometers off the Canary Islands’ coast. The boats were carrying 131 bundles of hashish, intended for distribution in Europe, according to police sources cited in local media.
The suspects, apprehended by Spanish Guardia Civil units on site, are currently in custody and under the supervision of Spanish judicial authorities, who have ordered their pre-trial detention.
This operation highlights the effectiveness of “close police cooperation” between Spain and Morocco in monitoring and intercepting illegal drug trafficking routes across the Mediterranean. The successful seizure of these drugs not only represents a substantial disruption to criminal networks but also demonstrates the strategic role Morocco’s DGST plays in ensuring security in the region, working alongside European counterparts to prevent the flow of narcotics into Europe.
Spain and Morocco have a longstanding partnership in counter-narcotics operations, with both countries recognizing that drug trafficking poses a significant threat to regional security. This latest operation serves as an example of how coordinated intelligence-sharing and swift intervention can curb transnational crime and ensure the safety of European and North African waters.
4o
